Astilboides tabularis

Astilboides tabularis is a beautiful perennial plant that thrives in partial shade and moist to wet soil with lush foliage, creamy white summer flowering, and autumn colours. Related to Rodgersias, its flowering resembles an astilbe and its leaves are similar to a giant butterbur. Originating from colder regions of China and northern Korea, this beautiful plant is resistant to cold winters. It thrives in rich and constantly moist soil, often found along stream banks. In the garden, Astilboides tabularis can be used to add a touch of lushness and exoticism to damp and slightly shady areas.

Astilboides tabularis belongs to the saxifrage family. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with a slowly spreading rhizomatous root system. Its above-ground vegetation emerges in spring and withers in autumn. At maturity, it forms a clump measuring 1m (3ft) in all directions (for the foliage). The light green leaves, resembling a crinkle-edged pie dish in shape, lie flat on long petioles that hold them in the centre from below. These leaves can reach up to 60-70cm (24-28in) in diameter, with a rough surface crossed by prominent, radiating veins. When the petioles bend, the leaves gracefully tilt. These leaves, initially wrinkled at birth, unfurl with great elegance, resembling the wings of a butterfly. In autumn, they turn yellow and chocolate brown before drying out. In June-July, tiny flowers are borne on sturdy stems that emerge from the root over 1.20m (4ft) high, sometimes up to 1.50m (5ft). They are cream-white and gathered in light trailing spikes 20cm (8in) long and 6cm (2in) wide.

Astilboides tabularis loves partial shade and bright locations without direct sunlight, but it does not tolerate competition from tree roots well. In excessively dense shade, this plant will not flower. It prefers humus-rich, fertile soil that remains moist or even wet in summer. It can be planted either as a solitary plant on the edge of a flower bed or as a background plant, along a north-facing wall or on the banks of a water feature. It can be combined with other waterside plants or planted at the edge of a woodland with Fargesias, Rodgersias, Filipendula, and other bearded irises (Aruncus).