♦ Zones:  4 - 8     Height:  18 - 24"     Exposure:  Full Shade to Part Shade ♦

Astilbe 'Vesuvius', a mid-season flowering variety,  is a compact, semi-dwarf perennial with deeply-divided, deep green leaves that are dark red in spring and erect panicles of carmine-red flowers in summer.  Astilbes are mainstays of shade and woodland gardens.  This astilbe has no serious insect or disease problems.  Mass or group in shade gardens, woodland gardens and shaded areas of border fronts or cottage gardens.   This plant is drought tolerant and can be used in shaded areas of rock gardens.  Excellent spreading ground cover or edging plant for shady areas.  Also effective on pond or stream banks.