Astilbe japonica 'Red Sentinel'

Astilbe japonica 'Red Sentinel' is a mid-early flowering Japanese hybrid. From July, its scarlet red flowers gathered in short, well-branched and dense panicles will brighten up the surroundings of water features and shady areas of the garden. In a large pot kept fresh, it will thrive on the terrace. Its feathery panicles remain very attractive in cut flowers or in dried bouquets. The foliage takes on beautiful hues in autumn.

Astilbe japonica 'Red Sentinel' is a rhizomatous perennial plant, which, from spring, has a low and compact habit with deciduous, compound foliage that is dense and glossy, with dentate leaflets, dark green. It reaches a height of 60cm (24in) when in flower, and spreads to 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in). A long-lived plant, it belongs to the saxifrage family. It is one of the many hybrids whose type species is native to the Japanese archipelago.

Plant Astilbe japonica in moist to fresh, rich, neutral to acidic soil. This hybrid does not tolerate lack of water. The plant adapts well to clay soils, if they are healthy and well amended. Note that Astilbes do not tolerate being flooded in winter. Plant Astilbe japonica in partial shade or in a non-burning sunny location: in nature, these plants grow in humid undergrowth. Daily watering will be necessary in hot summers.

Astilbe japonica can easily be grown in pots, as an evaporating plant, in flower beds, as edging, as cut flowers and dried flowers. In undergrowth, to create a screen as a hedge, and of course in borders. Combine them with Hostas, Ferns (Athyrium filix-femina), Arums, Cape Fuchsia (Schizostylis coccinea) and Meadowsweet (Filipendula) or other wet soil perennials.