Red Sentinel is considered one of the best red astilbes, with vibrant scarlet red flowers in open, lacy plumes from early to midsummer. Forest green leaves on mahogany red stems frame the blooms.
It grows 20 to 24 inches tall, making it well suited to containers, the front of a shaded border and woodland plantings. Deer and rabbits leave it alone.
What it looks like
Open, lacy, branched plumes 6 to 8 inches long of tiny vibrant scarlet red flowers, held on mahogany red stems above the foliage. Leaves are compound, toothed and glossy forest green with reddish tints near the stems. The plant is a compact, upright clump 20 to 24 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. At peak bloom scarlet plumes glow over the dark green leaves.
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
-
Botanical name: Astilbe japonica
-
Flower color: Vibrant scarlet red
-
Foliage: Forest green with mahogany red stems
-
Growth habit: Compact, upright clump
-
Mature size: 20–24 in tall × 12–18 in wide
-
USDA hardiness zones: 4–9
-
Light: full sun, part sun to part shade, full shade
-
Bloom start: Mid-June
-
Peak bloom: Late-June
-
Bloom pattern: Single Flush
-
Deer resistance: Resistant
-
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.
Lavender companion · grow guide
Community Grower Report
