Chinese astilbe ‘Purple Lance’

Astilbe chinensis var. taquetii ‘Purpurlanze’  has vertical plumes that punctuate the light plate, contrasting well with the neighboring beebalms and grasses.

It is a mound-forming perennial with dark green, fern-like leaves. A. ‘Purpurlanze’ prefers rich soil in semi-shady areas but can take full sun in our garden as long as it gets enough water. In late summer it sends up lances of purple flowers that can grow to four feet tall. The tight plumes of flowers fade to lavender in fall and eventually a caramelly-tan which stands erect into the winter.