Florist's Spiraea

Astilbe japonica

Native to:
Japan

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Saxifragaceae
Genus:
Astilbe
Species:
Astilbe japonica
USDA Symbol:
ASJA2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
60 cm
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
may,jun,jul
Bloom Colors:
white, pink, red

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
butterflies, bees
Deer Resistant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers shaded or semi-shaded areas

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Seeds require light for germination and should be surface-sown. Maintain consistent moisture and cool temperatures.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI