Other Names:  False Spirea

Description:

Showy, velvety, upright, cherry red flower spikes over divided, dark green and chocolate brown to reddish foliage; perfect in a shady spot with dappled light; prefers moisture so water regularly for abundant flowers and nice foliage

Ornamental Features

Mighty™ Chocolate Cherry Chinese Astilbe has masses of beautiful plumes of cherry red flowers 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 attractive ferny compound leaves remain green in colour with showy brown variegation and tinges of red throughout the season. The dark red stems can be quite attractive.

Landscape Attributes

Mighty™ Chocolate Cherry 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.

Mighty™ Chocolate Cherry Chinese Astilbe is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Mighty™ Chocolate Cherry Chinese Astilbe will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity extending to 4 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 3 feet. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 24 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.