Astilbe 'WONDERFUL DAY' astilbe (arendsii group)

I reckon that Wonderful Day® astilbe should be prescribed instead of Valium. Just look at it and admit that it makes your heart melt at least a bit with its cheerful colour. It produces fluffy plumes of bright pink flowers on green stems on a plant reaching about 40 cm tall. They bloom from mid June for 3-4 weeks and, conditions pending, re-bloom sporadically until late summer.

Healthy leaves are deciduous, bright green, glossy and palmately divided. Wonderful Day® astilbe makes compact tufts. It was bred by Harrie Verduin from the Netherlands who called his other varieties similarly, e.g., Lovely Day, Happy Day, Lucky Day, or Sunny Day. Aren’t they better then pills? I want them all! 😊 Granted patents: 60088 (Europe – 2020) and PP32890 (USA – 2020).

Grow astilbe in humus-rich soil. If planted in boggy or regularly watered bed they can sit in full sun, too, otherwise choose a semi-shaded or shaded location. They are water loving plants and require a good dose of nutrients to look their best. They will not grow in chalky or clay soil that dries out in summer.

For best results divide the clumps every 3-4 years removing old and dead rhizomes in early spring. Also in the spring remove old leaves and last year’s flowers. If grown in poor soil you may need to cut back the entire plant after flowering to get rid of spent stems and tired foliage in order to encourage growth of new leaves. A dose of a liquid fertilizer is recommended. Fully hardy to about -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 02-12-2022