Astilbe vs Chinese astilbe

Astilbe and Chinese astilbe are often considered for the same spot in the garden (flowers, ground cover, container). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Astilbe

Astilbe × arendsii 90 cm × 60 cm after 10 years

A splash of colour for shady, damp corners: feathery plumes in white, pink, red or purple rise above ferny foliage in early summer. Plant it only…

Perennial

Part shade

Shade

from about PLN 17

Chinese astilbe

Astilbe chinensis 60 cm × 50 cm after 10 years

A perennial with ferny, dark green leaves that sends up stiff, feathery pink or lilac plumes from midsummer, later than the garden hybrid astilbes. It…

Perennial

Part shade

Shade

from about PLN 17

Key differences

Astilbe grows larger: 90 cm × 60 cm after ten years, against 60 cm × 50 cm for Chinese astilbe (an estimate: sources differ).
Chinese astilbe needs less water than Astilbe.
Chinese astilbe needs less care than Astilbe.
Chinese astilbe is cheaper: about PLN 18 at the size usually planted, against about PLN 23 for Astilbe.

Which one to choose?

Chinese astilbe is the better choice if space is tight, you cannot water regularly, you have little time for care or price matters.

Watch out for

Astilbe

Hot, dry Central European summers are the main problem: when the soil dries out the leaves brown and curl, and the clump weakens year after year. It will not survive in a sunny, dry bed without irrigation, and even in part or full shade it needs mulching and watering several times a week in drought. Powdery mildew, leaf spot and vine weevil occur occasionally.

Chinese astilbe

In the hot, dry summers of Central Europe the leaf edges brown and the foliage collapses when the soil dries out or the plant sits in full sun, so without watering and mulch it only stays good in a shaded, moist spot. Powdery mildew can occur, and vine weevil grubs may eat the roots.

The data side by side

Feature	Astilbe	Chinese astilbe
Group	Perennial	Perennial
Size after 10 years	90 cm × 60 cm	60 cm × 50 cm (uncertain)
Ultimate size	0.4–1.4 m × 30–60 cm	0.2–1.2 m × 25–60 cm
Growth rate	no data	Medium (uncertain)
Light	Part shade, Shade	Part shade, Shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay	Average garden soil, Clay
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance	Low	Low
Foliage	Deciduous	Deciduous
Flowering	May–August, white, pink, red, purple	June–September, pink, purple
Water need	High	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low	Low
Maintenance	Medium	Low
Planting distance	40 cm	40 cm
For dogs	no data	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)	Non-toxic
Typical price	approx. PLN 23	approx. PLN 18

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026

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