Astilbe Europa

Astilbe 'Europa' is a florist's dream. Large pale pink plumes of fluffy flowers seem to froth above dark, deer and rabbit resistant foliage during spring and early summer. Although in ancient Greek, astilbe meant 'without brilliance', these blooms will certainly brighten any shady area. Astilbe make wonderful cut flowers. Either cut fresh or dried, they will add height and texture with their fascinating plumes of colour, just as they do in the garden. Astilbe 'Europa' has been given the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society for outstanding performance in the garden. Perfect planted in a bog garden, Astilbe are happiest in fertile, reliably moist but well-drained soil, in dappled shade, where they shine. Remove faded foliage in spring to provide light for newly emerging shoots and mulch the base of your plants in autumn with leaf mould. Clumps can be divided after 3-4 years when they have reached an eventual spread of 50-60cm to maintain vigour and create more plants. Astilbe 'Europa' is a fully hardy perennial, which will require no winter protection in most of the UK.