Astilbe x arendsii 'Fanal'
flowerFanal is the classic red astilbe, one of the finest perennials for bringing bold color to a moist, shady garden. It forms a tidy clump, about a foot and a half to two feet tall, of deeply cut, fern-like foliage that emerges bronze-tinted in spring, and in early summer it lifts dense, upright, feathery plumes of deep garnet-red flowers that glow in the shade and dry to attractive russet seed heads. Astilbes are clump-forming, long-lived, and deer resistant, and Fanal is prized as one of the darkest reds and an early bloomer. Its one firm requirement is moisture: it must never dry out, which makes it ideal for damp borders, streamsides, and shaded beds with rich soil.
Sun
partial shade
Water
Every 5 days
Bloom
~55 days
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
Spacing
18-24 in. apart
Planting Depth
Set the crown about 1-2 in. below the soil surface
Soil pH
5.5-6.5
Soil Type
Rich, organic, consistently moist
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 9
When to Fertilize
In spring as growth begins
Fertilizer
Balanced fertilizer or compost
Grow astilbe in part shade to shade, though it takes more sun where the soil stays reliably moist; the deeper the shade, the more important consistent moisture becomes. It demands rich, organic, evenly moist soil and will scorch, brown, and fail if it dries out, so amend with compost, mulch well, and water in every dry spell - this is the make-or-break factor. It is hardy in zones 3 to 9. Feed in spring and topdress with compost, and divide the clumps every three to four years in spring to keep them vigorous and to make more plants. Leave the dried plumes standing for fall and winter interest, then cut the old foliage back in late winter before new growth begins.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Direct sow
Apr 15
Projected first bloom
Jun 9
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
A white film in humid, crowded shade - give airflow and avoid wetting the foliage late in the day
Appear when the plant is drought-stressed in heat - the key is never letting it dry out; rinse the foliage if they show
May chew the foliage and flowers - hand-pick into soapy water in the cool morning
Usually a symptom of dry soil rather than disease - keep the soil consistently moist and mulched and the plant recovers
Astilbe is a lovely cut and dried flower - cut the plumes in the cool morning when most of the tiny florets have opened for fresh arrangements, or let them dry on the plant and cut the russet seed heads later for dried bouquets. In the garden, leave the dried plumes standing through fall and winter for texture, then cut the old foliage to the ground in late winter. The real secret to success is simply water: keep it moist all season and it thrives, let it dry and it browns.
An ornamental shade perennial grown for its bold feathery plumes and ferny foliage. The flowers offer some nectar to bees and butterflies, but it is grown above all for color in the shade garden. Non-toxic and safe around pets and children.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.