Astilbe Color Flash Lime

Astilbe 'Beauty of Lisse', more commonly marketed as Color Flash Lime, is a variety that is distinguished above all by its beautiful golden spring foliage, a colour never before seen in these plants. It takes on a greener hue in summer when its flowers appear in feathery spikes of tender pink. The small size of this variety, as well as its precious appearance, make it particularly suitable for ornamental use in planters or in a semi-shaded border. Like all astilbes, this perennial is best grown in soil that remains moist in summer, preferably in partial shade. 

The cultivar Color Flash Lime is one of many hybrids resulting from the work of Georg Arends, a German nurseryman. This original selection was awarded at the Courson in May 2007. It belongs to the Saxifragaceae family. It is a variety of modest stature: 30 cm (12in) in height with a spread of 25 cm (10in). It is therefore often placed at the front of borders, surrounded by its shade companions such as ferns and Hostas. This rhizomatous perennial forms an upright clump, consisting of a group of stems covered with compound, highly dissected, toothed leaves that change from golden yellow in spring to lime green in summer. Flowering takes place in July-August and consists of plume-like inflorescences composed of numerous small pink flowers. The deciduous vegetation of the astilbe disappears in winter and emerges from the ground in spring.

When planted in a row astilbes can highlight shaded paths or the edges of ponds in which they are reflected. When planted alone, these perennials contrast with their verdant neighbours like Hostas, Ferns, and Solomon's seals. At the end of the season, leave the inflorescences to dry in place to maintain a tall backdrop or remove some spikes to make dried bouquets of autumn. The flowers are very beautiful in floral compositions and dry bouquets. In woodland areas, associate astilbes with other moisture-loving perennials.