Astilbe chinensis Purpurkerze - Chinese astilbe

Astilbe chinensis 'Purpurkerze', also sold under the name 'Purple Candles', is a tall Chinese astilbe recognisable by its narrow, dense, upright panicles. The reddish-purple flower buds open in shades of purple, then gradually fade. This variety blooms in the second part of summer, after many Japanese or hybrid astilbes. Slender and colourful, it earns its place among the tall perennials for partial shade, at the back of a border or near a water feature. 

This astilbe belongs to the Saxifragaceae family. It is a herbaceous perennial with a rhizomatous rootstock: its stems and leaves die back in winter, while the rhizome remains alive underground and produces new shoots in spring. The species Astilbe chinensis is native to East Asia, from the Russian Far East to China and the Japanese island of Tsushima. It grows in damp, open woodland, on cool woodland edges, and near watercourses. The cultivar 'Purpurkerze' is sometimes attributed in certain catalogues to the botanical species taquetii, but it is most commonly registered under the name Astilbe chinensis 'Purpurkerze'. The plant forms a clump of compound leaves, divided into serrated leaflets with well-marked veins. The dark green to bronze-green foliage reaches nearly 60cm in height. The rootstock slowly spreads via short rhizomes. In summer, sturdy bronze-green flower stems rise to 90 or 110cm. They bear panicles 25 to 30cm long, narrower and less flared than those of many Arends astilbes. These inflorescences are made of a multitude of very small purple-red to pinkish-violet flowers. Flowering is concentrated in August, but may begin in July and continue into September depending on the climate. Faded panicles turn brown and persist for part of the winter if not cut back. This astilbe is extremely hardy (–29 °C). Like other forms of A. chinensis, it tolerates heat and a short dry period better than many astilbes, but its foliage browns and flowering diminishes if it lacks water. 

The tall growth of Astilbe 'Purpurkerze' will stand out in a partial-shade border, at the edge of a damp woodland, or near a pond. Plant it in groups of three, spaced 50 to 60cm apart. Its tall purple panicles are particularly beautiful among the white flowers of Japanese anemone 'Honorine Jobert' and the blue or pink inflorescences of Hydrangea serrata 'Blue Bird'. The variegated foliage of hosta 'June' and the large bronze leaves of Rodgersia 'Bronze Peacock' are also fine companions. These plants share a preference for humus-rich, damp soils and shelter from scorching sun.