Astilbe

Astilbe is a genus of 18 species perennial, herbaceous flowering plants, within the family Saxifragaceae. Some species are commonly known as False Goat's Beard, and False Spirea. Astilbe species are native to Asia and North America.
These hardy, herbaceous perennials are cultivated by gardeners for their large handsome, often fern-like foliage, and dense, feathery plumes of flowers. Astilbes are widely recognized for their profuse blooms in full shade. They are widely adapted to water-logged conditions, and tolerate clay soils well. Numerous hybrids have been raised. Astilbe is a tall feathery flowered plant popular as a pond side feature, due to its previously described growing conditions.
==Species==
Species of Astilbe include:
*Astilbe biternata (Vent.) Britt.
*Astilbe chinensis (Maxim.) Franch. & Sav. 
*Astilbe crispa (Arends) Bergmans 
*Astilbe grandis Stapf ex E. H. Wilson 
*Astilbe japonica (C.Morren & Decne.) A.Gray
*Astilbe longicarpa (Hayata) Hayata
*Astilbe macroflora Hayata
*Astilbe microphylla Knoll
**Astilbe microphylla var. riparia Hatus.
*Astilbe platyphylla H. Boiss.
*Astilbe rivularis Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don
**Astilbe rivularis var. angustifoliolata H. Hara
**Astilbe rivularis var. myriantha (Diels) J. T. Pan
*Astilbe rubra Hook. f. & Thomson
*Astilbe sikokumontana Koidz. 
*Astilbe simplicifolia Makino 
*Astilbe thunbergii (Siebold & Zucc.) Miq. 
**Astilbe thunbergii var. congesta H. Boissieu
**Astilbe thunbergii var. fujisanensis (Nakai) Ohwi
**Astilbe thunbergii var. hachijoensis (Nakai) Ohwi
**Astilbe thunbergii var. kiusiana Hara
**Astilbe thunbergii var. longipedicellata Hatus.
**Astilbe thunbergii var. okuyamae (Hara) Ohwi
**Astilbe thunbergii var. shikokiana (Nakai) Ohwi
**Astilbe thunbergii var. terrestris (Nakai) Ohwi
==Cultivar Groups==
Commonly accepted cultivar groups are:
*Astilbe Arendsii Group
*Astilbe Crispa Group''
*Astilbe Japonica Group
*Astilbe Simplicifolia Group
==References==
*Flora of China: Astilbe http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=102968
*Svenskt kulturväxtlexikon http://skud.ngb.se/
*The plants database http://plants.usda.gov/
== Other websites ==
* Astilbe History, Culture, Landscape Use, Pests
* Photos
Category:Saxifragaceae