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1994 Perennial Plant of the Year®

The Perennial Plant Association announced that Astilbe ‘Sprite’ was chosen as the Perennial Plant of the Year® for 1994. Foliage on this fine-textured, shade-tolerant perennial is deep green and the overall plant height is 15-18″. ‘Sprite’ flowers freely with small, light-pink florets adorning graceful, arching plumes in July or early August.

‘Sprite’ was discovered and introduced by Alan Bloom, of Blooms of Bressingham, England. Selected from a group of Astilbe simplicifolia seedlings that were growing near Astilbe chinensis ‘Pumila’, it is probably a natural cross (hybrid) between them. Introduced in 1978, ‘Sprite’ has quickly established a reputation as a popular and versatile perennial.

Astilbe, also called false spirea, is a member of the Saxifrage family. Closely related to Aruncus (Goatsbeard) and Filipendula (Meadowsweet), Astilbe are primarily Asian natives, with more than 100 different kinds in cultivation. They have an open, airy growth habit that softens the bold foliage of Bergenia, Rodgersia, Pulmonaria, Ligularia, or Hosta, and compliments fine-textured plants like ferns and bleeding hearts. Whether used alone or in masses, the graceful beauty of Astilbe enlivens and brightens shady landscapes.

Astilbe means “without color.” However, ‘Sprite’ has many deep green, crinkley-edged, shiny leaflets. Its hybrid origins go back to George Arends of Rondsdorf, Germany who was responsible for the introduction of most of the Astilbe grown today. In 1911, Arends was attending a flower exhibition in London, England, where he found A. simplicifolia and took it back to Rondsdorf. There he began crossing it with his A. japonica hybrids. The result was a group of hybrids with shiny, dark-green compound leaves, and white to pink gracefully arching plumes. We now know these by cultivar names such as ‘Alba’, ‘Atrorosea’, ‘BronzeElegans’, ‘Elegans’, ‘Carnea’, ‘Dunkellachs’, and ‘Rosea’. From Arends’ original hybrids, newer selections such as’ Aphrodite’ (Pagels), ‘Hennie Graafland’ (van Veen) and ‘Sprite’ (Bloom) were introduced.

Astilbe ‘Sprite’ is a mound-former with a fibrous root system that overwinters as a crown with many buds called “eyes.” Astilbe are not longlived perennials, so ‘Sprite’ should be divided every 3 or 4 years to maintain vigorous plants. Division is best done in the early spring before the foliage unfolds, but can also be done in late July to mid-August. To divide Astilbe, lift the crown and shake it free of soil. With a sharp knife cut down through the crown leaving 3-4 “eyes” in each section. Be certain to replant the crown at the same depth as it was formerly, so that the “eyes” are about 1h inch below the soil surface.

Plants are purchased either as bareroot crowns or as potted plants. Bareroot crowns should be planted in the early spring, while potted plants can be set out anytime through mid-August. To plant, loosen the soil in an area 2-3 times the diameter of the crown or pot. Thoroughly work a complete fertilizer like a 10-6-4 or a 10-10-10 at the rate of2-3 lbs/100 square ft. into the top 6-8″ of soil in the planting area. Remove the soil and set the plant at the same depth as in the pot. The “eyes” should be about 1 inch below soil level. Finally, firm the soil around the plant and water in thoroughly.

If kept moist, Astilbe will tolerate a wide range of soil types, but prefer soils that are fertile, moist, well-drained, and have an acidic pH. They are heavy feeders, so need to be fertilized in the spring before growth starts, and again, lightly, in the fall after the first frost. A yearly application of a complete fertilizer like a 10-6-4 or a 10-10-10 applied at the rate of 2-3 lbs/100 square feet is adequate.

Astilbe ‘Sprite’ has many uses in rock gardens, as small accent plants, or massed as a rich ground cover. Place ‘Sprite’ toward the front of the border, as its total height is only 15-18″. Although most effectively used in the shade garden, ‘Sprite’ will tolerate full sun in northern gardens if watered during the hot, dry weather of July and August. ‘Sprite’ can be planted in southern gardens, but avoid placing it in full sun.

‘Sprite’ is also winter hardy, so it can be safely planted in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8. If planted or transplanted late in the summer, plants may require a light mulch to ensure they won’t heave out of the ground the following spring. Although Astilbe are low-temperature hardy, their new foliage may be killed by late spring frosts.

Most insects and diseases don’t seem to bother Astilbe. White flies and spider mites will attack them, but black vine weevil is the most persistent insect problem. To control black vine weevil, spray with an appropriate insecticide in late spring, just as adults are emerging from the overwintering grub phase. For assistance on choosing insecticides, call your local state cooperative extension service or your local garden center for advice. As with all pesticides, read the label and follow directions.

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PLANT DATA

Hardiness
USDA Zones 3 to 8

Light
Full sun to partial shade in the North and partial to full shade in the South

Size
15-18 inches tall

Soil
Fertile, well-drained but moist soil is the key to successful culture