2nd Year Maturity. Open Pollinated. Perennial. Showstar Mix Astilbe flower seeds grow an ideal and unique substitute to more traditional seasonal blooms. Showstar Mix Astilbe is an easy flower to grow from seed and matures into feathery and herbaceous 12 – 18” tall perennials known to thrive in cool, wet summers. Showstar Mix Astilbe provides vast and hardy ground cover, a perfect grow for mass borders, open fields, and commercial and business properties. Astilbe is one of the most widely cultivated blooms of the last century and promises to add a touch of elegance to any planter, basket, or living room. 100 seeds.
Growing Showstar Mix Astilbe Flowers from Seeds
- Taxonomy: Astilbe arendsii
- Other Names: Garden Spirea, False Spirea, False Goat’s Beard
- Seed Type: Perennial
- Sow Indoors or Outdoors: Showstar Mix Astilbe flower seeds can be sown directly after the frost but, for strongest starts, begin indoors 10 – 12 weeks prior and then transplant to a cool and shaded place in the garden or home. Astilbe is known to take as long as 28 – 35 days to germinate with full lighting.
- Days to Maturity: 2nd Year Maturity
- Hardiness Zone: 4 – 8
- Seed Planting Depth: Plant 10 – 12 seeds ¼” deep
- Plant Spacing: 12”
- Growth Habit: 12 – 18” tall shrubby upright with a 12” spread and well-branched floreted stalks
- Soil Preference: Organically rich, consistently moist, well-drained
- Light Preference: Partial Shade – Full Shade
- Diseases/Pests/Troubleshooting: Showstar Mix Astilbe flowers require consistently moist soil and must not be allowed to dry out or blooming will suffer. Plants will show signs of burning if left unshaded during summer heat. Adding an organic mulch into the soil in mid-summer will help cool the soil. Astilbe flowers have no serious pests or diseases, but powdery mildew may appear since plants thrive in moist conditions.
- Flower Colors: Delicate mix of whites, pinks, and reds
Astilbe arendsii, or more commonly known as Astilbe or False Spirea, is the hybridized product of one man, 19th century German botanist George Arends. Arends crossed and bred Astilbe flowers so much that 95% of all Astilbe sold today is derived from one of his 74 cultivars. The plant’s specific name of arendsii pays homage to Arends contributions to the field.