False spirea

Where 'Astary White' brings softness, Astilbe arendsii 'Fanal' brings drama. One of the most celebrated astilbe cultivars in the world, 'Fanal' produces deep, blood-red flower plumes above dark bronze-green foliage — and the combination is genuinely striking. If you want bold colour in a shaded border, this is one of the best options going.

'Fanal' is all about the contrast. The flower plumes are a rich, deep crimson-red — far darker and more intense than most astilbes — and they rise above foliage that leans towards bronze-green rather than pure green, which deepens the overall effect even further. The plumes are feathery and upright, with that characteristic astilbe texture that catches light beautifully. In a shaded garden context, those dark red flowers are genuinely eye-catching. 'Fanal' works brilliantly alongside white or pale pink astilbes for a high-contrast planting, or massed together in groups for a bold scarlet statement.

Astilbe 'Fanal' grows in a compact, upright clump to around 50 to 60 cm in flower, with the dark foliage forming an attractive mound from early spring onwards. It is a medium-sized astilbe that suits the mid-border position in a shaded scheme, container planting in a shaded courtyard, or along the edges of ponds and water features. Supplied at 20 cm in a 9 cm pot, it will establish well and begin to show its character in the first season.

Like all astilbes, 'Fanal' prefers partial to full shade with reliably moist soil. It can handle more sun than some astilbes if the soil stays consistently moist, but the flower colour tends to be richer and longer-lasting in shadier conditions. Dappled light from deciduous trees, north-facing borders, and pond margins all suit it well. Avoid hot, dry, fully exposed sites.

Keep the soil consistently moist — this is the single most important care requirement. Mulch in spring to conserve moisture and add a balanced feed at the same time. Water well during dry periods. Cut spent flower spikes back to the base once finished, or leave them for autumn interest. Divide every three to four years to keep clumps flowering freely. The bronze-tinted foliage is an early season bonus that emerges before other plants get going.

When those deep red plumes emerge above the dark foliage in early summer, 'Fanal' stops people in their tracks. It has that rare quality of being both genuinely striking and somehow perfectly placed in the naturalness of a shaded garden. Whether you are going for a bold monoculture of crimson astilbes or weaving them into a layered woodland scheme, 'Fanal' delivers the kind of impact that makes a garden feel intentionally designed and lovingly planted.

• Dramatic Deep Red: One of the darkest, most intense astilbe flower colours available.
• Bronze Foliage Bonus: The dark bronze-green leaves are attractive from the moment they emerge.
• Shade Border Essential: Brings bold colour to the positions where most plants struggle to perform.
• Long-Lived Perennial: Returns and increases in impact year after year.
• Stunning Contrast Planting: Pairs beautifully with white astilbes, pale hostas, and ferns.

If your shaded border needs a moment of genuine drama, Astilbe 'Fanal' delivers it. Those deep red plumes above dark foliage are hard to ignore, and harder not to love. Give it the moisture it needs and it will reward you for years.

Size at dispatch: 20 cm in height, and comes in a 9 cm pot
Care level: Medium
Pet safety: No, toxic to pets