False Goat's Beard Astilbe 'Bronce Elegans' (simplicifolia hybrid)
ABOUT
The Astilbe 'Bronce Elegans' is a beautifully ornamental plant known for its attractive foliage and feathery flower plumes. The leaves of this beautiful plant exhibit a bronze-green color, providing a vibrant backdrop that contrasts wonderfully with its summer-blooming flowers. Its foliage has a glossy appearance and is finely divided, giving it a delicate and fern-like quality. Come flowering season, the Astilbe 'Bronce Elegans' produces plumes of tiny flowers that cluster on stems rising above the foliage. These flowers can range in color from a soft, pale pink to a more saturated rosy hue. The flower plumes have a fluffy, airy appearance that adds texture and movement to the garden, as they gently sway in the breeze. The overall impression of the Astilbe 'Bronce Elegans' is one of elegance and grace. It is a classic choice for adding a touch of sophistication to shaded garden areas, where its unique foliage and charming flowers can be fully appreciated. Its ability to bring light and color to darker corners makes it a valuable addition to any plant collection.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Saxifragaceae.
Synonyms
False Goat's Beard, False Spirea.
Common names
Astilbe simplicifolia 'Bronce Elegans'
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
1-2feet (30-60cm)
Spread
1-2feet (30-60cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Astilbe attracts bees and butterflies, helping to pollinate nearby plants in the garden.
- Low Maintenance: Generally requires minimal care beyond occasional watering and yearly fertilization.
- Shade Tolerance: Thrives in partial to full shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens and shady borders.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Produces delicate, feathery plumes of flowers that add texture and color to garden designs.
- Long Blooming: Flowers last for several weeks, providing prolonged visual interest throughout the late spring and summer.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistant: Less palatable to deer and rabbits, reducing the risk of damage from these creatures.
- Soil Erosion Control: Helps in stabilizing soil and preventing erosion in sloped or uneven garden areas.
- Dramatic Foliage: Features attractive bronze-colored foliage that adds contrast and interest to the garden even when not in bloom.
- Great for Cut Flowers: The flower stems can be used in floral arrangements, providing an attractive option for homegrown bouquets.
- Winter Interest: With the right care, the dried seed heads and foliage can add texture to the winter garden landscape.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Astilbe is often used as a natural dye for fabrics, where the flowers can be boiled to extract colors that can then be used to tint textiles.
- In art, the vivid colors and feather-like texture of Astilbe flowers can be used for pressed flower crafts to create bookmarks, cards, or framed botanical art.
- The robust stems of Astilbe are sometimes used in rustic crafts, such as creating natural supports for other, more delicate plants in arrangements or wreaths.
- Astilbe can be incorporated into potpourri mixes for a subtle, long-lasting fragrance and a touch of color in decorative bowls or sachets.
- This plant may also serve as an indicator species in a garden, where consistent blooming can signal the optimal moisture level for other moisture-loving plants.
- Garden photographers and artists may use Astilbe as a photogenic subject due to its unique structure and striking appearance when covered with morning dew or after a rainfall.
- In culinary arts, while not widely known for edibility, some parts of Astilbe can be candied for decorative, non-toxic garnishes on desserts (always ensure a plant’s edibility before consumption).
- Florists occasionally utilize dried Astilbe flowers to offer a different texture and shape in dried flower arrangements, which can be particularly appealing in autumn and winter compositions.
- Astilbe's fluffy blooms are sometimes used in educational contexts to teach children about plant structures and pollination, due to their distinctive and visible stamens and pistils.
- For frosty landscapes, Astilbe's seed heads can be left on the plant during winter to provide aesthetic interest, capturing frost and snow in a visually striking way.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Astilbe is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Astilbe is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Patient Love: The delicate plumes of the Astilbe, also known as False Goat's Beard or False Spirea, symbolize a love that patiently waits and endures throughout time.
- Hope and Positivity: The Astilbe plant often blooms in shady areas, representing hope and positivity in difficult situations where other plants might not thrive.
- Life and Vitality: The Astilbe's lush foliage and feathery flowers suggest life and vitality, symbolizing the fullness and richness of life.
- Strength and Courage: Despite its delicate appearance, the False Goat's Beard is a hardy plant, symbolizing inner strength and the courage to face life's challenges.
- I Will Be Waiting for You: In the language of flowers, giving someone Astilbe can indicate a promise of waiting for them, a sentiment of patient devotion.
WaterFalse Spirea should be watered deeply about once a week, but this can vary depending on the climate and soil conditions. Generally, you want to provide at least one inch of water per week, whether through rainfall or manual watering. During the warmer seasons or in particularly dry conditions, you may need to water more frequently to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Ensure the plant receives a steady supply of moisture, especially while the plant is flowering, as Astilbes prefer consistently moist soil. Overhead watering can lead to fungal diseases, so it's best to water at the base of the plant to keep the leaves dry. If using a hose or watering can, apply water slowly and evenly until the desired amount is reached.
LightFalse Spirea thrives in partial shade to full shade conditions. It is best to place the plant where it can receive dappled sunlight or only morning sun, particularly in areas with hot summers, to avoid leaf scorch. A spot under a canopy of tall trees or on the north side of a building is often ideal for this plant. Avoid placing False Spirea in full sun, as this can stress the plant and cause the foliage to burn or lose its vibrant color.
TemperatureFalse Spirea does well in a range of temperatures and can tolerate winter cold down to around minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant's ideal growing temperatures are between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the growing season. It is quite hardy once established, but summer heat can be a concern if temperatures frequently exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit, especially without adequate shade and moisture.
PruningFalse Spirea should be pruned to remove spent flower stalks and to tidy up the plant immediately after blooming, which encourages healthy growth and possibly a second flush of flowers. Pruning can also include the removal of dead or damaged stems in early spring before new growth begins. This plant does not require heavy pruning, so focus just on shaping and maintaining the plant's size and aesthetics.
CleaningAs needed
SoilAstilbe 'Bronce Elegans' requires moist, well-drained soil high in organic matter, with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0 for optimal growth.
RepottingFalse Spirea should be repotted every 3 to 4 years to refresh the soil and accommodate the growing root system.
Humidity & MistingFalse Spirea thrives in high humidity conditions but is also adaptable to average household humidity levels.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Keep in bright indirect light, high humidity, and moist soil.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, keep soil moist, protect from high winds.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleAstilbe 'Bronce Elegans', commonly known as false spirea, begins its life as a perennial rootstock, emerging in spring with fern-like foliage. In this growth stage, leaves develop with a unique bronzey appearance, giving the plant its name. Midsummer marks the flowering stage, where plume-like flowers bloom in shades of pink or white, attracting pollinators to the garden. Following pollination, the plant may produce small, dry, capsule-shaped seeds, which can be dispersed to propagate new plants, though Astilbes are more reliably propagated by division. As temperatures drop in the fall, above-ground foliage of the false spirea dies back, and the plant enters dormancy, conserving energy within the rootstock to survive the winter. With the return of favorable conditions in the next spring, the cycle restarts with the emergence of new growth from the perennial roots.
PropogationPropogation time
Early spring
Astilbe 'Bronze Elegans', commonly known as false goat's beard or false spirea, is most commonly propagated by division. The ideal time to divide astilbes is in the spring or fall when the plant is not in active growth. The process involves carefully digging up the plant and separating it into smaller clumps, ensuring that each clump has at least one shoot and a portion of the root system. These sections are then replanted into prepared soil, spaced about 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 centimeters) apart to allow sufficient room for growth. Adequate moisture should be provided after planting to encourage root development.
