Astilbe Hennie Graafland - False Spirea

Astilbe 'Hennie Graafland' is rarely grown, despite its ornamental qualities. In late spring, this lovely perennial illuminates partially shaded beds where its feathery flowering emerges, in a delicate light pink. It is compact with beautiful glossy, dark green and very nicely textured foliage which is decorative even outside of the flowering period. Like other astilbes, the plant thrives in fertile soils that remain moist in summer, including marshy and waterlogged soils.

Astilbe simplicifolia belongs to the family of Saxifragaceae. This wild species is native to Japan, particularly the island of Honshu, as well as the southernmost part of the island of Kyushu. It is a hardy (-20°C (1°F)) perennial plant with rhizomes, adapted to wet locations and non-chalky soils. Its deciduous vegetation disappears in winter and regrows in spring. The hybrid cultivar 'Hennie Graafland' was selected for its delightful pastel pink flowers, unlike the white flowers of the species. This variety resembles 'Sprite', with slightly lighter foliage, pinker flowers, and slightly taller growth. Astilbe simplicifolia plants take a little longer to establish compared to the more commonly cultivated arendsii.

In spring, 'Hennie Graafland' astilbe develops into a clump measuring 30-35 cm (12-14in) in all directions, composed of strongly lobed and undivided leaves. This glossy foliage is a superb dark green. Flowering takes place in June. From the clump of leaves, brown-purple flower stalks, measuring about 45 cm (18in) high emerge. They bear open and slightly trailing, 15 cm (6in) high panicles, composed of numerous tiny star-shaped, pale pink flowers with pearly highlights. After pollination, the flowers are followed by highly decorative rust-coloured seeds.

This perennial is indispensable for compact, heavy, wet, and marshy soils. Astilbe 'Hennie Graafland' is a robust plant that is highly resistant to diseases and will live for many years in the same spot. Plant it along the edge of a pond or at the border of moist woodland with Hostas, Hakonechloas, lysimachias, and Carex. In a sunnier exposure, but still in moist to wet soil, consider pairing it with persicarias, monardas, penstemons, and tall phloxes. You can also grow it with other astilbes with white, pink, or red flowers to create beautiful pastel beds in humid areas. Its cut flowers can be used to make lovely bouquets, with roses and lilies for example, but also interesting dried compositions with grasses or statice.