Astilbe (25 plants)
At long last we have Astilbe! This dainty beauty is one of my favorite cut perennials. It looks dainty and expensive but it is really easy to grow.
These bare root divisions will be shipped in a bag in a dormant state, ready to start growing after transplant. If you need to delay planting, store them closed in the bags in a cooler. Astilbe is sold in bags of 25 divisions.
In the UK they think of Astilbe as plant to put around ponds because it loves water. In the US we tend to think of it as shade perennial. In reality it is both. It loves moisture retentive soil, and in hotter climates appreciates some shade in the heat of the day. In cool summer climates you can grow it in full sun as long as it never dries out.
Cut Astilbe always fetches a good price. It has a delicate quality that works perfectly in bridal bouquets and yet can hold it's own in a table arrangement. They have thin but sturdy stems that are easy to use in designs.
These bare root plants will produce at least a few flowers in their first year, and then will bulk up more with each passing season. Harvest when the lower 25% of the inflorescence has opened.
We look forward to expanding our Astilbe selection each season, so let us know what colors you need! Click here to Request a Product.
Hardiness zones 3-8
Spacing 12-18"
Average height 24-36"
Price includes applicable royalties.
Everything You Need to Know
Ordering
What are Bare Roots?
Where we Ship
We ship bare roots to the lower 48 states and Alaska via FedEx. (Sorry, Hawaii!)
When we Ship
All bare roots will ship in March 2026. Specific ship/delivery dates cannot be accommodated. You will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking information as soon as your order has been packed. Clematis will be shipped separately from other bare roots.
Order Minimums
The minimum order is 4 total bundles of any variety, excluding Clematis.
Number of roots per bundle:
Hydrangea - 9 or 16 (see product description)
Clematis - 25
Clematis may be purchased individually, or alongside other bare root items. They will be shipped separately, and therefore do not count towards the 4 item minimum applicable to all other bare roots.
All other products - 10
Active Orders
Order Confirmation
You will receive a confirmation email from info@farmerbailey.com shortly after placing your order.
Substitutions and Shortages
In the unlikely event of a shortage, we will reach out to find a solution; be that a substitution, refund, or a combination thereof.
Cancellations + Order Changes
Order changes, including cancellations, are accepted until February 1, 2026. Farmer Bailey retains a 10% cancellation fee on all canceled orders and order items.
Shipping
Bare Roots will ship via FedEx in the second week of March 2026 (Week 11).
Pricing
4-6 bundles | $25
7-12 bundles | $50
13-18 bundles | $75
*Shipping to Alaska is $75 per box.
Clematis ship at a flat rate of $10 regardless of order size. Clematis may be ordered along with other bare root items, and doing so will add $10 to the shipping charge. So, one box of bare roots plus any Clematis will ship for $35.
Damaged/Missing Items
Mold and minor damage
You may see a bit of mold on the roots, but this is normal. Simply wash it off and plant immediately. As a precaution you can treat the roots with a fungicide or biofungicide, but this isn't necessary. Small broken branches are also of little concern. Just prune off any broken bits and the plant will recover quickly. The root system is the important part at this stage.
Claims
To file a claim, email info@farmerbailey.com within 24 hours of receiving your order; include your 5-digit order number, photos and a description of the issue. Based on the assessment by our Claims Department, we'll issue any necessary refund(s) or replacements, when possible.
Our team may request that you plant the bare roots and report any non-viable plants by June 1st. Farmer Bailey will not accept any bare root claims after June 1st.
***Farmer Bailey is not liable for plants that do not thrive once planted if no claim was filed at the time of delivery.***
Growing Guides
Click here to access our comprehensive growing guides containing everything you need to know about this crop.
| Common Name | Chinese Astilbe; false goat's beard; false Spirea |
| Genus | Astilbe |
| Species | chinensis |
| Family | Saxifragaceae |
| Life Cycle | herbaceous perennial |
| Format | Bare Roots |
| Care | All of these plants will be just coming out of dormancy. You may see swelling buds or a bit of new growth, but in general they will be in a dormant state and may look a little dead. Don't worry! They will wake up. You may see a bit of mold on the roots but this is completely normal. Simply wash it off and plant immediately. As a precaution you can treat the roots with a fungicide or biofungicide, but this isn't necessary. Small broken branches are also of little concern. Just prune off any broken bits and the plant will recover quickly. The root system is the important part at this stage in the game. If you can't plant immediately on arrival store your bare roots in the cooler.The cold will delay their growth. Keep them from freezing. You can either pot them into 1 gallon pots or plant them directly into your prepared soil. Just make sure to plant them within a few days of arrival. They are waking up and are ready to grow, and they will decline quickly if they are not given soil, water and sunshine. This is a carefully orchestrated process to get plants quickly from their storage conditions to you so please do your part and be ready to plant them on arrival. There is no reason that these plants will experience any stress if you prepare for their arrival. |
| Netting / Staking | None |
| Hardiness | Hardiness zones 3-8 |
| Spacing | Spacing 12-18" |
| Soil Preference | Moisture retentive; high organic matter. |
| Light |
In hotter climates, Astilbe appreciates some shade in the heat of the day. In cool summer climates you can grow it in full sun as long as it never dries out. |
| Water | In the UK they think of Astilbe as plant to put around ponds because it loves water. In the US we tend to think of it as shade perennial. In reality it is both. It loves moisture retentive soil. |
| When to Plant | Spring, when the ground is workable. |
| Harvesting | Harvest when the lower 25% of the inflorescence has opened. The uppermost buds should be swollen and showing color. |
| Post Harvest Care | Cut stems should be placed immediately in 130F, acidified solution. Leaving the stems dry even for a few hours will reduce the vase life of the cut stems. Flowers are sensitive to ethylene. Pretreatment with EthylBloc (an antiethylene compound) is recommended. If flowers are not sold immediately, store them in a 33-40F cooler for up to 7 to 10 days in a solution containing a bactericide. Polyethylene sleeves are better than paper sleeves. Use of preservatives in the vase solution will increase the vase life of cut stems. |
| Diseases / Insects | Leaf spots; powdery mildew; Fusarium wilt; Asiatic garden beetle; Black Vine weevil |
| Bailey's Notes | This dainty beauty is one of my favorite cut perennials. It looks dainty and expensive but it really easy to grow. Cut Astilbe always fetches a good price. It has a delicate quality that works perfectly in bridal bouquets and yet can hold it's own in a table arrangement. They have thin but sturdy stems that are easy to use in designs. These bare root plants will produce a few flowers in their first year, and then will bulk up more with each passing season. |
| Resources |
Astilbe chinensis Ivory Pearls UMass Amherst Post Harvest Handling of Six Field Grown Flowers |