Montgomery Astilbe
Montgomery Astilbe
Rich Red Plumes for a Bold Shade Statement
Montgomery Astilbe (Astilbe japonica 'Montgomery') delivers deep, glowing red plumes above bronze-tinted, finely cut foliage in mid to late summer. It's a strong, dependable performer that brings warmth and drama to shady, moist borders where bold color is rare, while quietly feeding pollinators and shrugging off deer and rabbits. A standout for Edina, Maple Grove, and Woodbury shade gardens.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Astilbe japonica 'Montgomery' |
| Mature Size | 2 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 | Mid to late summer |
| Flower Color | Deep red plumes |
| Soil | Rich, consistently moist; does not tolerate drought |
Landscape Uses
Use Montgomery in shaded borders, woodland gardens, and rain gardens. Its red plumes and bronze foliage contrast beautifully with hostas, ferns, and lighter astilbes, and the flowers are excellent 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
Will Montgomery 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.
Are the plumes good for cutting?
Yes, they work well as fresh or dried cut flowers.
You May Also Like
Pair Montgomery with pink and white astilbes, hostas, and ferns for a richly layered shade border.
How Many Montgomery Astilbe Do I Need?
Montgomery forms a 1.5–2 ft clump, so space plants about 20 inches apart for a continuous shade mass:
| Bed run | Plants needed (20 in. spacing) |
|---|---|
| 5 ft | 3 |
| 10 ft | 6 |
| 15 ft | 9 |
| 20 ft | 12 |
For accents, plant in groups of 3–5 about 18–20 inches apart so the red plumes read as a bold drift rather than scattered dots.
Montgomery Astilbe Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Bronze-tinted, finely cut foliage pushes up early and fills in as a lush mound.
- Summer: Deep, glowing red plumes rise above the foliage in mid to late summer — the plant's headline show.
- Fall: Spent plumes dry to a rusty tan and can be left for texture; foliage holds until hard frost.
- Winter: Dies back to the ground; mulch conserves the moisture the crown needs and it returns reliably in spring.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Shade-Tolerant ✔ Rain-Garden / Wet-Soil
Plant It With
- Maggie Daley Astilbe — purple-pink plumes that play off Montgomery's red in a shade mass.
- Deutschland Astilbe — crisp white plumes for bright contrast against the bronze foliage.
- Japanese Painted Fern — silvery fronds soften and lighten the planting.
- Lady Fern — a Minnesota-native fern that thrives in the same moist shade.
Is Montgomery Astilbe Right for Your Yard?
Montgomery thrives in part-to-full shade with rich, consistently moist soil — north and east beds, woodland edges, and rain gardens are ideal, and deer and rabbits leave it alone. It is not a fit for hot, dry, sun-baked spots: without steady moisture the foliage crisps and the plumes fizzle.