{"product_id":"mighty-chocolate-cherry-astilbe","title":"Mighty Chocolate Cherry Astilbe","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Giant Astilbe with Chocolate Foliage and Cherry-Red Plumes\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eMighty Chocolate Cherry Astilbe (\u003cem\u003eAstilbe\u003c\/em\u003e 'Mighty Chocolate Cherry') is a true showstopper, one of the largest astilbes available, sending towering cherry-red plumes up to three or four feet over dramatic chocolate-bronze foliage in mid to late summer. It commands attention at the back of a shaded, moist border and brings bold height and color where most shade perennials stay low. Deer-resistant and pollinator-friendly, it's a statement plant for Minnetonka, Lakeville, and Blaine shade gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAstilbe\u003c\/em\u003e 'Mighty Chocolate Cherry'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 ft tall, 2–3 ft wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4–8 (hardy across most of Minnesota)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePart shade to shade; full sun only with constant moisture\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMid to late summer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCherry-red plumes over chocolate-bronze foliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRich, consistently moist; does not tolerate drought\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eUse Mighty Chocolate Cherry at the back of shaded borders, in woodland gardens, and along rain gardens or pond edges where its size and dark foliage make a bold backdrop. Pair with chartreuse hostas and ferns for striking contrast; plumes are excellent for cutting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring or early fall, when cool weather and steady moisture help roots establish. Avoid midsummer heat.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDig 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWatering\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst Year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep the soil consistently moist, watering 2–3 times per week. This large astilbe especially needs steady moisture.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter Year One:\u003c\/strong\u003e Continue regular watering, especially in heat.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrip Irrigation:\u003c\/strong\u003e A soaker hose or drip line provides the steady moisture this plant demands.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow big does it really get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt's one of the tallest astilbes, reaching 3–4 feet in bloom, so give it room at the back of a bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it grow in shade?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, part to full shade is ideal; full sun works only with reliably moist soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it hardy in Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, hardy to Zone 4 and reliable statewide.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it deer resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, deer and rabbits generally avoid astilbe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePair Mighty Chocolate Cherry with shorter astilbes, hostas, and ferns for a layered shade border with strong vertical drama.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54315422220593,"sku":null,"price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/mighty-chocolate-cherry-astilbe.jpg?v=1779864875","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/mighty-chocolate-cherry-astilbe","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}