The Best White Astilbes

Varied in Color

• If your heart desires pure white blooms, "Ellie" (Astilbe japonica "Ellie") may be for you. It blooms with large, full flower spikes that brighten like bursts of light. While many astilbe flowers brown as they fade, these age to green and extend their season by weeks in the process. "Bumalda" (Astilbe x arendsii "Bumalda") adds more color to the mix with dark bronze-purple foliage beneath its large white plumes. Its flowers mature to creamy white, then age to soft, dusty pink. The colors pair beautifully with blue-green and creamy white foliage variegation often found on their shade companions. Both these astilbes are hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9.

Not Too Picky

• Sometimes elegance belies a rugged nature, and that holds for astilbes. "Vision in White" (Astilbe chinensis "Vision in White"), hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9, offers abundant, long-lasting white flowers atop sturdy, upright foliage. Tolerant of heat, humidity and occasional drought, it holds up in warmer climates where many astilbes struggle. In cool regions, it can tolerate full sun. "Diamonds and Pearls" (Astilbe chinensis "Diamonds and Pearls") lives up to the name as apple-green flower buds open to silvery white in showy, dense plumes held on sturdy stems. Hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8, "Diamonds and Pearls" tolerates heat, humidity and drought to make that transition between shade and sun.

Compact to Towering

• When the front on the shade border needs to glisten, "Darwin's Snow Sprite" (Astilbe simplicifolia "Darwin's Snow Sprite") answers the call for compact sparkle at just 12 inches in height. The snowy white flowers weep slightly for a delicate effect. It is hardy in USDA zones 4b through 9a. At the back of the border, "Professor Van der Wielen" (Astilbe x thunbergii "Professor Van der Wielen") fills the bill with late-blooming, arching flower stalks that reach up to 4 feet in height. Hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9, its large, open flower panicles brighten even dense shade.

Low-Maintenance

• For all their diversity, white astilbes require little maintenance. They prefer rich, well-drained, evenly moist soil in partial to full shade. Even drought-tolerant varieties will do best when soil is kept consistently moist. When flowering is past, the seed heads can be removed or kept on the plant for ornamental effect if preferred. As plants mature, divide them every three to four years when they become overcrowded or flower production begins to drop. White astilbes have no serious insect or disease concerns and will bring years of enjoyment and brightness to your shade garden.