Astilbe myriantha

GIANT ASTILBE

Astilbe myriantha
GIANT ASTILBE
Astilbe myriantha is the tall, willowy super-model of the Astilbe world.

Giant slender plumes of softest lilac

This Giant Astilbe wows with feathery, fuzzy plumes up to 1.2m, or even 2m. tall.
The flowers are borne on tall, strong slender stems, and are a haze of softest lilac shades right to their pointed tips.

Finest quality foliage

All astilbes are valued for their pretty foliage. And Astilbe rivularis var. myriantha is amongst the most handsome of all.
Plants produce dense clumps of finely divided attractive leaves, which remain deep green all summer, and set off the creamy-pink flower colours perfectly.
Before the foliage goes butter yellow in late autumn.

Exceptional flower production

Astilbe rivularis var. myriantha is a brilliant bloomer.
There is no way you can overlook this spectacular beauty in the garden.
As it makes a great show with those very tall and slender flower heads through early and mid-summer.

Excellent cut flowers

All Astilbes have commercial quality cut flowers, but Astilbe rivularis var. myriantha are super-stars for large vases and making a big show.

Rabbit & Deer resistant

Happily for gardeners, rabbits and deer are not impressed with the flavour of Astilbes, and so usually leave them well alone.

Glowing colour in Dappled Shade

All Astilbes enjoy shaded conditions, and Astilbe rivularis var. myriantha wows in conditions of Dappled Light and Shade.
All Astilbes enjoy regular water, plenty of compost and mulch in summer.
(Scroll down to “Growing” section below for plant details & how / where to grow).

SEED SOWING ADVICE:

Indoors for early quick plants: First sow the seed in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then gently press the seeds onto the surface of the mix, to ensure good contact.

Now barely cover the seed, because light is needed for germination of this plant.
And you can use sieved mix, or fine grit, or vermiculite, or washed sand to sprinkle over the seeds.

Then stand the sown punnet in a shallow water bath.
So the moisture percolates up through the mix from the bottom to thoroughly moisten the mix throughout.
Soak for a short time until moisture appears on the surface of the mix, and then remove and drain.
Because the mix needs to be moist throughout, but not wet.

Now place the moist punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sun).

Temperatures of 15-20°C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.
You can use a temperature-controlled heat mat if you have one to encourage rapid germination, but it is not essential. A window-sill or well-lit corner is also fine.

Adding a clear plastic cover helps to retain moisture in the punnet.
And continue to keep the punnet moist by spraying the surface of the mix a fine spray water bottle, or re-soaking in the water bath, as required.
(If the punnet is light weight when you pick it up – the mix is drying out and needs another soak from below in the water bath).

Seedlings begin to emerge in approx. 30 days.

A “pretend winter” helps

However if the seeds are shy to germinate and have not appeared in 60 days, then the seeds need a period of chilling to break their natural dormancy. This dormancy is normal for plants from areas with cold winters.

So wrap the moist, sown punnet in cling-wrap, place in the fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks (this mimics winter).
Then remove, unwrap, moisten, and return to a well-lit place for germination.

Seed Count:  200 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

GROWING: Astilbe rivularis var. myriantha 

Height with flowers: Upright, densely packed spears to approx. 1.2-2m. in summer.
Width: Forms a clump of finely divided foliage to a diameter of approx. 60cm.
Position: Astilbe rivularis var. myriantha prefers partial shade and woodland conditions, with dappled light, to full shade.
Soil: This Giant Astilbe will give its best in good garden loam. It loves fertilizer and compost, and can happily dabble its toes in the water if necessary.
So it enjoys retentive soil, including clay based soils, with regular drinks applied.

Hardy & easy in the right spot

Frost: Astilbe are extremely frost hardy. So they are able to withstand frost to well below -20C.
Care: Astilbes are easy, low care plants, if they are given their preferred conditions. Then the only work required is to trim off spent flower stems to encourage a repeat of autumn blooms.
And finally to chop them to the ground at the end of autumn.
Deer & Rabbit resistant: I would be heartbroken if marauding critters chewed off my gorgeous Astilbes. But fortunately these lovely things are not particularly attractive to rabbits, deer, slugs or snails.

Long season of colour and interest

Growth: Deciduous hardy perennial.
With wonderful bright flame-butter yellow late autumn foliage and decorative red seed heads.
So the plant is dormant over winter, before re-emerging with marvellous new spring foliage, then flowering again in the early summer.
Astilbe rivularis var. myriantha has a very long season of interest in the garden and beautiful foliage.
Bees & Birds: Butterflies are particularly attracted to the myriad of tiny nectar rich blossoms that make up the feathery Giant Astilbe plumes.

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