Mighty Chocolate Cherry Chinese Astilbe

.netps-plant-info { font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ‘Segoe UI’, Roboto, sans-serif; color: #333; line-height: 1.6; max-width: 900px; }.netps-plant-info h2 { font-size: 1.2em; color: #2d5016; border-bottom: 2px solid #e8f5e9; padding-bottom: 6px; margin: 1.2em 0 0.6em; }.netps-plant-info p { margin: 0.4em 0; font-size: 0.95em; }.netps-plant-info ul { margin: 0.4em 0; padding-left: 1.5em; font-size: 0.95em; }.netps-plant-info li { margin: 0.2em 0; }.netps-plant-info table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 0.5em; }.netps-plant-info th { text-align: left; padding: 6px 12px; background: #f5f9f3; color: #555; font-weight: 600; width: 40%; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0; font-size: 0.95em; }.netps-plant-info td { padding: 6px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #f0f0f0; font-size: 0.95em; }.netps-plant-info .badge-list { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 8px; margin: 8px 0; }.netps-plant-info .badge { display: inline-block; padding: 4px 14px; border-radius: 20px; font-size: 0.9em; font-weight: 500; background: #e8f5e9; color: #2d5016; }.netps-plant-info .description-text { margin: 0.5em 0 1em; font-size: 0.95em; }.netps-plant-info .comments-text { margin: 0.5em 0; font-size: 0.95em; color: #555; font-style: italic; }Showy, velvety, upright, cherry red flower spikes over divided, dark green and chocolate brown to reddish foliage; perfect in a shady spot with dappled light; prefers moisture so water regularly for abundant flowers and nice foliageOrnamental FeaturesMighty Chocolate Cherry Chinese Astilbe has masses of beautiful plumes of cherry red flowers at the ends of the stems from mid to late summer that fade to rose over time, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive ferny compound leaves remain green in colour with showy brown variegation and tinges of red throughout the season. The dark red stems can be quite attractive.Landscape AttributesMighty Chocolate Cherry Chinese Astilbe is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.Mighty Chocolate Cherry Chinese Astilbe is recommended for the following landscape applications;Mass PlantingBorder EdgingGeneral Garden UseContainer PlantingPlanting & GrowingMighty Chocolate Cherry Chinese Astilbe will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity extending to 4 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 30 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 24 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have rich, acidic soils to ensure success, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.Mighty Chocolate Cherry Chinese Astilbe is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a ‘thriller’ in the ‘spiller-thriller-filler’ container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.Plant DetailsBotanical NameAstilbe chinensis ‘Mighty Chocolate Cherry’Plant TypeperennialBotanical ClassificationperennialHeight3 feet (4 feet with the flowers)Spread30 inchesGrowth RatemediumHardiness Zone2bSunlightpartial shade to shadeMoisturemoistSoil pHacidicFlower Colorcherry redBloom Timefrom mid to late summerFoliage ColorgreenSpecial FeaturesDeer Resistant