Fanal is one of the most popular red astilbes and one of the earliest reds to bloom. Its bright red plumes stand in upright spires in early summer, adding strong color to shade gardens.
The leaves emerge mahogany red in spring and turn green by summer, giving an extra season of interest. At about 20 inches tall, it is a vigorous grower that fits the front or middle of a shaded border, containers and mass plantings. Deer and rabbits avoid it.
What it looks like
Upright, narrow spires 6 to 8 inches long of tiny bright crimson red flowers, densely packed, held on reddish stems above the leaves. Leaves are compound, finely divided and toothed, emerging glossy mahogany red in spring and maturing to deep green. The plant is a compact, upright clump about 20 inches tall and 18 to 20 inches wide. At peak bloom it holds a cluster of vivid red spires over dark foliage.
Growing it with lavender
Astilbe needs moist, rich soil and shade, the opposite of lavender's dry, sunny bed, so plant it in a shade garden or along a damp woodland edge with hostas and ferns.
Care
Astilbe grows best in part shade in rich, humus-rich soil that never dries out; in the north it takes more sun if kept moist. Hardy in USDA zones 4-9. Mulch to hold moisture, water during dry spells to prevent leaf scorch, and leave the dried plumes for winter interest before cutting back in spring.
At a glance
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Botanical name: Astilbe × arendsii
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Flower color: Bright crimson red
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Foliage: Mahogany red in spring, deep green in summer
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Growth habit: Compact, upright clump
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Mature size: 20 in tall × 18–20 in wide
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USDA hardiness zones: 4–9
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Light: full sun, part sun to part shade, full shade
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Bloom start: Early-June
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Peak bloom: Mid-June
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Bloom pattern: Single Flush
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Deer resistance: Resistant
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Pollinator value: Good
Sizes and shipping
Dormant bare-root plant, sold in boxes of 25 per variety (order in multiples of 25). Bare-root plants ship or are picked up March 1–May 31 only. They are soil-free, so they may ship to every state in that window. Dormant plants often show little or no top growth on arrival; plant or heel them in promptly.