VANDERMEER

PLANT LIBRARY

Find the perfect plant for your space by browsing through this extensive selection that we typically carry every year.

This library is for information purposes only.

 
perennial

Purple Rain Chinese Astilbe

Astilbe chinensis 'Purple Rain'

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Purple Rain Chinese Astilbe (Astilbe chinensis 'Purple Rain') at Vandermeer Nursery

Purple Rain Chinese Astilbe flowers

Purple Rain Chinese Astilbe flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  22 inches

Spacing:  18 inches

Sunlight:  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  4a

Other Names:  False Spirea

Description:

This variety produces showy dark magenta plumes with a purple-lavender cast, rising above deep green leaves; dense, upright form; perfect in a shady spot with dappled light; prefers moisture so water regularly for abundant flowers and nice foliage

Ornamental Features

Purple Rain Chinese Astilbe has masses of beautiful plumes of fuchsia flowers with purple overtones and lavender streaks at the ends of the stems from mid to late summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its ferny compound leaves remain dark green in colour throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Purple Rain Chinese Astilbe is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Purple Rain Chinese Astilbe is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Purple Rain Chinese Astilbe will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 18 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Edging  Garden 
Applications
Flowers  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features

** Plants listed may not be in stock at all times. **

Please contact us directly for current stock availability.
 
Our inventory varies seasonally and we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times. To confirm if we have the plant that you're looking for, please call (905) 427-2525 or e-mail  us at info@vandermeernursery.com.
 
Remember, this library does not include our entire selection. Visit us year-round to check out varieties that may not be listed here!