Delft Lace Astilbe
Delft Lace Astilbe
Apricot-Pink Plumes Over Striking Blue-Green Foliage
Delft Lace Astilbe (Astilbe 'Delft Lace') is as beautiful out of bloom as in it. Lacy, blue-green foliage emerges with a silvery sheen on contrasting red stems, then in summer rich raspberry-red buds open to soft apricot-pink plumes for a layered, multi-tone display. It's a refined, eye-catching choice that elevates any shaded, moist border. Deer-resistant and pollinator-friendly, it shines in Eden Prairie, Plymouth, and Eagan shade gardens.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Astilbe 'Delft Lace' |
| Mature Size | 2–3 ft tall, 1.5–2 ft wide |
| Hardiness Zone | Zone 4–8 (hardy across most of Minnesota) |
| Light | Part shade to shade; full sun only with constant moisture |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Flower Color | Apricot-pink plumes from raspberry buds |
| Soil | Rich, consistently moist; does not tolerate drought |
Landscape Uses
Use Delft Lace as a specimen or in shaded borders, woodland gardens, and rain gardens, where its colorful foliage and stems earn their keep all season. It pairs beautifully with hostas, ferns, and other astilbes; plumes are great for cutting.
Best Time to Plant
Plant in spring or early fall, when cool weather and steady moisture help roots establish. Avoid midsummer heat.
How to Plant
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the crown level with the soil, backfill with compost-enriched soil, water thoroughly, and mulch 2–3 inches deep to conserve moisture.
Watering
First Year: Keep the soil consistently moist, watering 2–3 times per week. Astilbe must not dry out.
After Year One: Continue regular watering, especially in heat.
Drip Irrigation: A soaker hose or drip line provides the steady moisture astilbe needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Delft Lace special?
Its blue-green lacy foliage, red stems, and apricot-pink plumes give multi-season, multi-tone interest.
Will it grow in shade?
Yes, part to full shade is ideal; full sun works only with reliably moist soil.
Is it hardy in Minnesota?
Yes, hardy to Zone 4 and reliable statewide.
Is it deer resistant?
Yes, deer and rabbits generally avoid astilbe.
You May Also Like
Pair Delft Lace with pink and white astilbes, hostas, and ferns for a refined, layered shade border.
How Many Delft Lace Astilbe Do I Need?
At roughly 20 in spacing, use this as a quick guide for a shaded row or drift:
| Run length | Plants needed |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | 6 plants |
| 20 ft | 12 plants |
| 30 ft | 18 plants |
| 40 ft | 24 plants |
For a lush, layered look, plant in groups of 3–5 spaced about 20 in apart; a single clump also makes a refined specimen.
Delft Lace Astilbe Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Lacy blue-green foliage with a silvery sheen unfurls on contrasting red stems for an early foliage show.
- Summer: Raspberry-red buds open to soft apricot-pink plumes above the colorful foliage; bees visit the blooms.
- Fall: Foliage holds its blue-green tone and the dried plumes add late structure to the shade border.
- Winter: Dies back to the ground; the crown overwinters reliably and returns in spring.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Shade-Tolerant ✔ Rain-Garden / Wet-Soil
Plant It With
- Black Pearls Astilbe — a darker-leaved astilbe that echoes the red stems and extends the plume season.
- Bressingham Beauty Astilbe — rich pink plumes that pair beautifully with the apricot tones.
- Japanese Painted Fern — silvery fronds repeat the foliage's metallic sheen in the same moist shade.
- Alexandria Brunnera — heart-shaped silvered leaves and airy blue spring flowers underplant it perfectly.
Is Delft Lace Astilbe Right for Your Yard?
Delft Lace thrives in part to full shade with rich, consistently moist soil — making it ideal for low, damp spots and rain-garden edges. Not a fit for hot, dry, full-sun beds, where the foliage scorches and the plant struggles without steady moisture.