‘color flash’ astilbe astilbe xarendsii
Most astilbes are grown for their flowers, but who needs flowers when you can have foliage like this? It starts off bright green in spring, matures to rich burgundy with touches of deep purple in summer and turns gold and sienna in fall. In addition to the foliage, in late spring ‘Color Flash’ produces pale pink flower plumes that stand 20 in. high — great for perennial borders or containers.Unlike most other astilbes, this one can tolerate slightly dry soils. Of course, when you plant ‘Color Flash’, it’ll need moisture while it gets established. Keep the roots damp and cool with 2 to 3 in. of mulch.
TYPE Perennial SIZE 10 in. tall and 12 to 18 in. wide BLOOM Late spring to early summer LIGHT Part shade (Morning sun, afternoon shade) SOIL Moist, well-drained PESTS None serious HARDINESS Cold: USDA zones 4 to 8; Heat: AHS zones 8 to 1
