Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Purple Candles Astilbe: Tall Violet Plumes for a Shaded Border
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Purple Candles astilbe is a tall Chinese astilbe with dense, narrow plumes shaped like candles or pokers. They open rich violet-red and brighten to a lighter rosy purple as they age, rising on sturdy stems to about three and a half feet over a strong clump of dark, bronze-cast leaves. It blooms in midsummer, extending astilbe season after the early types finish.
Its color is right at home in a lavender garden. Its needs are not: astilbe wants moist, rich soil and shade. So Purple Candles goes in the shade garden or along a damp woodland edge, not in the lavender bed.
Purple Candles at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Astilbe chinensis 'Purple Candles' |
| Flowers | Rich violet-red to purple, in stiff plumes 10 to 12 inches long |
| Foliage | Deeply cut, coarse, dark green with a bronze cast |
| Size | About 42 inches tall in bloom, 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early July, peaks mid-July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Part shade |
| Deer | Resistant; rabbits leave it alone too |
Vertical purple in the shade
In the sun, lavender gives your garden upright purple spikes. In the shade, Purple Candles does the same job on a bigger scale. Its tall plumes bloom in July, right alongside lavender's summer season, so purple shows up in both the sunny and shady parts of the property at once. That repetition is what makes a whole yard look planned.
Put it at the back of a shaded border where its height counts, with hostas, ferns and lower astilbes in front. Plan both beds in the Companion Plant Planner.
Keeping it moist and upright
- Water: it is moderately drought tolerant for an astilbe, but performs far better when never allowed to dry out. Leaf scorch from drought is the most common problem.
- Mulch: a good layer keeps the roots cool and holds moisture.
- Light: part shade. Chinese astilbes handle more sun than most, though afternoon shade helps in hot summers.
- Air and pests: crowded plantings in muggy weather can get mildew or leaf spot. Japanese beetles visit now and then.
Winter and long-term care
Purple Candles is hardy in Michigan. Leave the dried plumes standing for winter interest and cut them back in spring. Astilbe crowns slowly rise above the soil over time, so top-dress with compost or divide every few years.
Cut and dried plumes
The plumes are good for cutting and dry well, holding their candle shape. They make tall, dramatic partners for dried lavender in large arrangements.
About the bare root plant
Purple Candles is offered as a bare root plant. Plant it with the crown at the soil surface in rich, moist soil and water well. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
How tall does Purple Candles get?
About 42 inches in bloom, which makes it one of the taller astilbes for the back of a shade border.
Can I grow it in a sunny bed with extra water?
It handles more sun than many astilbes, but a bed watered enough for astilbe would be too wet for lavender. Give each its own spot.
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