IF I WERE SHOPPING THIS YEAR in the mail-order plant catalogs, and if I didn’t already have it, I’d order Astilboides tabularis, perhaps the most asked-about plant here during garden tours. I say “if” on both points because I am trying to practice restraint over here, so instead of buying things I’m pretending—and recommending them to you instead. Talk about armchair gardening. But there’s nothing virtual about Astilboides. It’s a shade-garden must.
With nearly 2-foot-wide, light green leaves on hairy stems that can approach 4 feet here, Astilboides tabularis is no shy thing. The stems attach in the middle of the leaf, so the foliage is held aloft like a small, round pedestal table—or some people say an umbrella. But its name is so descriptive, if you think about it: the tabularis part (meaning flat-topped, like a table), and even the genus name, Astilboides, since its flowers look like a giant creamy astilbe plume of sorts. Its “common” name (though I’ve never heard anybody say it) is shieldleaf. Make mine Astilboides.
I brought my first clump home from a plant sale at the nearby Cary Arboretum, as it was then called, now the Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY. That was perhaps 17 years ago; my original clump has been pilfered from to spread the beauty various times, but other than said pilfering and a late-fall cleanup, I don’t do anything to this plant. A tip: Don’t cut it back too soon. The way it fades is lovely, with yellow and tan phases worth enjoying as it relaxes on its way to sleep (above).
I find Astilboides easy to grow, as long as it has good, season-long soil moisture, a shady spot, and isn’t zapped by frost early in the going, as the leaves are starting to open. It’s the first thing I run to cover with an old sheet if we get a late frost, else its foliage gets tarnished, though it will send up more in time. Depending who you believe, it’s hardy from Zone 5 or even as cold as 3 to 9. Anyone have insights? I can guarantee Zone 5.
When I adopted it all those years ago, Astilboides used to be Rodgersia, and it’s a close cousin of that other genus of bold-leaved perennials that can help make even a cold-climate garden feel a little bit tropical. I brought some divisions of Rodgersia home that long-ago day from Cary Arboretum, too…more on those another day. Sources:
A fantastic plant. Reminds me of my love of Podophyllum; though Astilboides tabularis’ size tends to make a bigger impact. Must…stay..within…plant…budget…
Gorgeous photos, as always.
I bought my Astilboides years ago when I was attempting to find every plant that would grow or almost grow in my shade garden. I didn’t know much about it at the time (called it Rodgersia). My greediness has payed off, I love the plant, wish I had more space.
After seeing your Twit last night, I went to check it out and decided that I could not live without it. And look at that – they have it at LazyS, one of my favorite mail order places. It’s like fate or something, budgets notwithstanding. I love getting a good review on a plant from another gardener in my zone!
Rats, have neither shade nor space for this beauty. I can only imagine how much fun a child would have playing amidst a planting of these.
I have so much shade, this will be a perfect addition, love the fall colors
Astilboides will definitely take the cold side of zone 4, but it really needs continuous summer water. I have one and we’re always at least three nights below -27F, but since I don’t really have a permanently wet spot, its not completely happy. I’ve been putting a bucket over it every night until june 10, just in case. Sheets didn’t work. But a friend has one in an even colder spot, the next town over, well shaded by evergreens. Although he isn’t even here in the spring, his plant is magnificent;I think the trees block the early spring frosts. When I finish double digging down the bed, I’ll try and move mine. I’m finding my mukdenia much happier with august drought, although not so exciting. Some day…
durnit, our shade is mostly dry. What a lovely plant.
For anyone in the Hudson Valley, we sell this at Loomis Creek… one of the things our customers always ask for after visiting Margaret’s garden on Open Days. A spectacular plant.
You’ve inspired me. I have just the spot for it, too. Hello, spring!
Welcome, Jessica. I am so glad to have the current Newsday garden editor among us (being a former one myself). A I have mentioned here before, I love your blog. Also glad to turn you on to Astilboides, one handsome plant indeed. See you soon again.
My gosh…If this isn’t a lush and healing color I don’t know what is. Makes me sad over what I missed out on as a kid. Too much cement and not enough green.
So that is what is growing in my shade garden….it is so lovely. Mine is 2 years old and it gives shade to many a songbird this summer. Margaret I love reading your blog which has made me purchase less supermarket garden porn this year. By garden porn I mean those mags with the slick garden photos which never work in Northern Minnesota. Thanks for all.
Do deer eat the amazing leaves of Astilboides? It looks so powerful!
Welcome, Carolynn. In my experience, deer will eat almost anything. I have never has this plant eaten (in the years when I had no fence) but that doesn’t mean anything, except that they preferred the nearby hostas, I think. I wish I had a certain answer for you, but alas, I do not.
I do know this plant is hardy in Vermont. It is growing in a display garden at a nursery in Dorset, a nursery I worked at until a few weeks ago, running the perennial dept. Lousy weather & slow sales add up to lay-offs….sigh. The plant IS wonderful! Just like fairy umbrellas.
Welcome, Amy. Yes, fairy umbrellas indeed. Sorry about economic challenges (and ones caused by weather), and hoping that the next opportunity presents itself very soon. Meantime, we will see you again here, yes?
Hello Margaret, I went to visit your friends at Loomis Creek Nursery to see if they had any Astilboides…they do but not saleable size yet. Rats!!! I will be back later for sure. Thanks for all the great advice and the fun reads.