Astilbe Fireberry

Plant Patent: #20658.

Part of the Short and Sweet® series, this Astilbe was bred to reach a top height of just 16 inches tall. Because of its disciplined growth habit, 'Fireberry' spends all its energy on blooms, creating torch-like masses of hot pink panicles that divide the ferny foliage nicely. The blooms come on in early- to midsummer, adding a gorgeous raspberry-pink accent to the front of a shady border or any sheltered bed or container. The massed effect is stunning; use 'Fireberry' as a groundcover in shady spots or as a cluster in the woodland garden. And of course the splendid foliage is a welcome addition to the vase!

Astilbe likes part shade, rich soil, and frequent watering (especially when blooming). 'Fireberry' is no exception: give it part to full shade and even moisture to let these blooms reach their full glorious potential. Do your part, and 'Fireberry' will reward you with years of reliable beauty--especially since it is pest-resistant! It is an excellent choice for borders that receive any exposure from dappled sunlight to nearly full shade. Long-lived and low maintenance, it is a perennial to be treasured in the shade! Zones 4-9.

• Butterflies like a lot of sunlight, so locate your garden in a sunny area.


• If you live in a windy location, plant your butterfly-attracting plants near a building, fence, or hedge to protect them.


• Plant a variety of nectar-rich plants, as well as shrubs and evergreens for shelter.


• Since many butterflies and native flowering plants have co-evolved, try to put in some that are native to your area. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center provides lists of plants native to states and regions.


• Certain colors are particularly attracting to butterflies – red, yellow, pink, purple, or orange blooms that are clustered or flat-topped, with a short flower tubes are especially attractive to adult butterflies.


• Avoid using pesticides, especially around nectar-producing plants.


• Provide a shallow source of water – try a birdbath with pebbles lining the bowl.


• Place a rock in a sunny spot for butterfly basking and resting.


• Create a "puddling area" by digging a shallow hole filled with compost or manure where rainwater will collect and release essential salts and minerals.


• If you want butterflies to breed in your garden, put in some caterpillar food plants, such as parsley, milkweeds, asters, thistles, violets, clover, grasses, and Queen Anne’s Lace.


• Since butterflies need nectar throughout the entire adult phase of their lives, try to create a design that will allow for a continuous bloom – when one stops blooming, another starts.

Astilbe
Meadow Sweet

Planting:

Set out plants in spring or fall, 15 to 18 inches apart. Astilbes prefer partial to full shade, but may be grown in sun in northern areas if particular attention is paid to maintaining a constant supply of moisture, especially early in the growing season. (Failure to do this will produce poor, chlorotic, unattractive foliage.) A soil well-enriched with organic matter is essential.

Maintenance:

Astilbes are vulnerable to drought, and should be watered liberally; a year-round mulch will help retain moisture and moderate soil temperature. Other than that, and dividing established plants every few years, preferably in the fall, they are relatively care-free.

Their plumy inflorescences, even when dry, provide winter interest, so we suggest that they not be cut back until spring, prior to the onset of new growth.

Zones:

Zones various

A Tradition of Distinction

Since its founding in 1920, Wayside Gardens has brought the rarest and highest-quality plants to the garden market. Wayside was founded in 1920 by two acclaimed growers who came together to pursue their shared vision of marketing all high-end plants for the serious garden enthusiast. Originally located in Mentor, Ohio, Wayside Gardens swiftly grew a reputation for the highest-quality plants and the most sophisticated clientele. In 1975, Wayside was purchased by the Park Seed Company, and moved to Hodges, SC.  The company has flourished since then, growing to become an undisputed leader in rare and unique plant growing.

Unparalleled Selection

Wayside's horticulturists travel the world in search of new and unusual plant cultivars and proudly offer the garden industry’s most sophisticated selection of high quality and rare perennial plants, bulbs, trees, shrubs, roses, vines, and indoor plants. Beginning with ties to the Dutch family bulb business in Holland, our horticulturists have developed close relationships with perennial and bulb growers throughout the United States and Europe, providing access to many rare and unique garden treasures. Throughout our history we have had the pleasure of introducing numerous exotic foreign and domestic plant cultivars to the American garden market. The Wayside collection of new and exclusive plant products is so preeminent that the catalog has long been lauded in the industry and is even used as a reference work in horticultural schools.

Impeccable Quality and Value – We Guarantee It!

At Wayside Gardens, “pedigreed plants” and “root strength” have always been watchwords. The Wayside Gardens impeccable plant quality begins with selecting only the finest new product offerings with improved plant features and numerous advantages for our gardening customers. These improved plant selections are then grown to our exacting quality standards by garden industry professionals. This produces superior plants with well developed root systems and healthy, vigorous plant growth habits. That is why we proudly guarantee all Wayside Gardens' products to perform as advertised, being of superior quality, true to type, and shipped properly.

Larger Containers & Well Established Root Systems

We use larger containers and grow bigger plants than other nurseries, leading to greater root strength. Where appropriate, Wayside Gardens propagates our plants vegetatively rather than from seed, to ensure the plants possess the correct form and are true to variety, like a true double form, as opposed to the single or semi-double forms that may result from seed propagation. Because we employ only the finest and most technologically advanced plant growing methods, you can be confident in receiving healthy plants ready to burst forth in glorious growth in your garden.

Superlative Service

• Unique, well-established and vigorous growing plants offer greater value for your money than other nurseries.
• Dedicated to providing detailed plant care instruction and informative plant information to make your product selection and planting truly enjoyable.
• Trained horticulturists are on-call to offer you any help or advice you need on how to care for your plants.
• All Wayside plants are carefully packaged to ensure a safe arrival.
• Your plants will be shipped to you at the proper time for planting.
• Honored to be your first choice in horticulture.
• If your item has received our recommended care and still doesn't perform to your satisfaction, we will replace it free of charge or credit you the item’s cost.
• Wayside Gardens is committed to helping you make your gardening an exquisite experience.