Astilbe arendsii Cappuccino

Astilbe arendsii 'Cappuccino' is a remarkable variety of astilbe, full of contrast and highly ornamental. Its elegant spring foliage takes on a dark bronze colour, stunning when the first white plumes appear, carried by red stems. It is compact and suitable for border decoration or the middle of small flowerbeds. This perennial plant, which thrives in partial shade and moist soil, appreciates riverbanks and heavy soils that never dry out.

Astilbe 'Cappuccino' is a recent horticultural creation. It is a hardy herbaceous perennial plant from the Saxifragaceae family with a compact habit, reaching a height of approximately 50 to 70 cm when in flower, with a spread of 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24in). It can be planted in flowerbeds, surrounded by shade-loving companions such as ferns and hostas. This rhizomatous plant is deciduous, with foliage emerging in spring and drying up in autumn. 'Cappuccino' astilbe forms an upright clump, composed of stems covered with compound, deeply cut, toothed leaves. The colour of the leaves in spring is a nearly black bronze. After flowering, the foliage turns dark green but retains a rich colour. The flowering occurs in June and July in the form of feathery, delicate inflorescences composed of numerous small flowers that start off very pale greenish-yellow and gradually turn almost pure white when fully open.

Astilbes bring life to shaded paths or the edges of ponds, first with their distinguished foliage, then their elegant and contrasting flowering. In flowerbeds and borders, 'Cappuccino' pairs well with hostas, ferns, solomon's seals, corydalis, and tiarellas. This variety tolerates dense shade. At the end of the season, let the flowers dry in place or remove some spikes to complete a large dried bouquet. The flowers are beautiful in floral compositions and dried bouquets.