Astilbes were quite popualr among English Victorians as an indoor potted plant, grown solely for it's temporary showy flowers. This photo of "Amyethist" (from dutchbulbs.com.) does indeed make a spectacular statement.
Later, Georg Arend developed over seventy Astilbe cultivars in his German nursery, providing gardeners around the world with access to this wonderful shade perennial.
The first of the bronze-foliaged plants was introduced in 1930, and the race for more exotic leaf color was on, and continues to this day.
The list from Perry's Plant pages at http://pss.uvm.edu/pss123/perastil.html
is full of information, and has an extensive list of cultivars. I've downloaded this list myself and printed it out, for use when shopping for these plants. I gladly recommend this practice to anyone out looking for just the right specimen. This list is indespensible, and has saved me from making several purchasing mistakes. Some of the tags in nurseries may not be correct...bloom times matter a great deal, if you're planning for other material around your astilbes.
I've noted on my list my own preferences regarding bloom color, which has also been helpful. There are combinations which appeal to me, strictly on the basis of personal taste. There are others which I know work with the existing plant material I have in my garden.
The astilbe can add background accent material, or may be a nice groundcover when using the low-growing species. The bloom color is, again, dependent on your own needs and desires.
I like white blooms for lightening up deep shade, and really bright plumes--hot pinks and purples--to mix with Lambs Ears, or other grays, like artemesias.
A mix of 'Sprite' with 'Rheinland' behind it form the edge of a border fronted by pulmonaria in dappled shade near my porch. This pleasing combination has been in place for several years now, and is ready to be divided...
Other foliage combinations might include golden hostas, painted ferns, and caladiums.
'Elijah Blue' fescue mounds. a low growing ornatmenatal grass, makes a blue-gray contrast that's delightful, and the grasses add in texture which is equally interesting. There are always the annual impatiens to use as full seasonal color, carrying the theme of pinks or whites from spring to frost.
Experiment with combinations to discover what pleases you. Combinations you enjoy will likely be pleasing to others, and you might surprise yourself. Remember, if it looks good to YOU, you've accomplished a major gardening goal...
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