{"product_id":"astilbe-superba","title":"Astilbe 'Superba'","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"pd-title-head\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eAstilbe chinensis\u003c\/em\u003e var. \u003cem\u003etaquetii\u003c\/em\u003e 'Superba'\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shade and woodland gardens, moist borders, mass plantings, cut and dried flower arrangements, edging along streams or ponds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBenefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e The boldest, tallest astilbe for shade, 'Superba' sends up vivid magenta-purple plumes in mid to late summer, well after other astilbes fade. Its finely cut, ferny foliage forms a lush clump, and it is notably more heat- and drought-tolerant than common astilbes, while staying deer resistant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–8\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Partial to Full Shade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLife Cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy Perennial\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upright, Clumping — ferny mound with tall flower plumes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Magenta to Purple\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–4 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 2 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mid to late summer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSummary\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen midsummer shade gardens start to look tired, 'Superba' answers with tall spires of intense magenta-purple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the boldest of the astilbes — a selection of the vigorous taquetii group that blooms later and stands taller than the familiar hybrids, lifting its narrow, feathery plumes three to four feet above a mound of dark, finely divided foliage. The flowers are excellent for cutting and dry well for arrangements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond the color, 'Superba' is prized for toughness: it handles heat, brief dryness, and clay better than most astilbes, and deer and rabbits leave its ferny leaves alone. Given steady moisture in part to full shade, it forms a long-lived, dependable clump.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAstilbe 'Superba' Care\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAstilbe 'Superba' grows best in partial to full shade in rich, consistently moist soil. It tolerates more sun only where the soil stays reliably damp; dry shade leads to scorched leaf edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep the soil evenly moist, especially in summer heat, and mulch to conserve water. Apply a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/slow-release-fertilizer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eslow release fertilizer\u003c\/a\u003e in spring to fuel the lush foliage and strong plumes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCut spent bloom stems if desired, or leave them for winter texture, then cut the clump back in late winter. Divide every few years in spring to maintain vigor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSize\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Size is the Astilbe 'Superba' for Sale Online?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Astilbe 'Superba' ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/pages\/contact\" title=\"Contact Almanac Planting Co\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003econtact us\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Large Does Astilbe 'Superba' Grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAstilbe 'Superba' forms a clump of ferny foliage roughly 2 feet across, with flower plumes reaching 3 to 4 feet tall in mid to late summer. It dies back over winter and returns from the crown each spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAdditional Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are some common names for this plant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis plant is commonly called Chinese astilbe or tall astilbe, and is sometimes sold as false spirea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is 'Superba' different from other astilbes?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt belongs to the taquetii group, which blooms later, grows taller, and tolerates more heat and brief dryness than common astilbe hybrids — making it a strong vertical accent late in the season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs astilbe deer resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, astilbe is generally considered deer and rabbit resistant, which makes it valuable for shaded woodland gardens. For more options, see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/deer-resistant-perennials-grasses\"\u003edeer-resistant perennials and grasses\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill astilbe grow in dry shade?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAstilbe needs consistent moisture and does not perform well in dry shade; its leaf edges scorch when the soil dries out. Give it rich, evenly moist soil for best results. Find more shade options in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/perennials\"\u003eperennials\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Almanac Planting Co","offers":[{"title":"2 Gallon \/ Ship ASAP","offer_id":47312576086178,"sku":null,"price":54.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0586\/9374\/6850\/files\/AstilbeSupurba.jpg?v=1780657180","url":"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/astilbe-superba","provider":"Almanac Planting Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}