What Astilbe is this?

Sue Deacon · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 11:31 am Post subject: What Astilbe is this?

Some years ago I bought this Astilbe from a Nursery in Kesh. They have had it in again since then, but on both occasions have lost the label!

It flowers later than most and has red-tinged leaves, that darken in the autumn. It is quite striking and I would love to know it's real name as people ask me what it is and I can't tell them.

Greengage · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:46 pm Post subject:

Could it be Amber Moon.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 9:35 am Post subject:

I don't know, I've never heard of that one. But then if I can't identify this that's no suprise. Wish I could see a picture.

tagwex · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 10:42 am Post subject:

Where is Silver Surfer when you want her?

Greengage · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 5:44 pm Post subject:

Google an image, Re Silver surfer in order to get her to come on-line you must put it up under, Can anyone ID this plant, she will respond immediately with the correct answer Laughing

Sue Deacon · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 7:32 pm Post subject:

I Googled 'Amber Moon' and found it on an American site. If mine is Amber Moon, if it is it's not typical. Mine has a darker green leaf and the red tinge takes over the whole leaf in autumn. Also the flowers are a more sugary, baby pink. I know we have odd soil, but even so....

tagwex · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 7:37 pm Post subject:

Come in Silver Surfer, your time is nigh.

Greengage · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 9:03 pm Post subject:

Good news and bad news. There are approx 14 species of herbaceous perennials,known as Astilbes in the family Saxifragaceae, native to eastern Asia and North America. They are often grown in gardens for their erect, featherlike flower spikes of white, yellow, pink, magenta, or purple, which rise above clumps of fernlike leaves from mid- to late summer.

A. chinensis, up to 60 cm (2 feet) in height, has produced several hybrids with dwarf habit and more intense colours.
Now if yours is A chinensis and it is a hybrid it could really be anything, If it was grown and supplied by the person who has breeder rights you should be able to obtain its correct name, if someone took divisions to propagate it from original and sold it on it could be called anything and you will never know unless a taxonomist who is interested in Astilbes. Ive checked Flip Schram for Astilbes and they have nothing like yours.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 10:27 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the info Greengage. I'm begining to wonder if it is an, as yet un-named variety.

As I said, the nursery has no info/ labels on it and are as in the dark as we are.

If I can't track down a breeder and it is just a one-off, I wonder if I could name it?

tagwex · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 3:13 am Post subject:

You may go over to Scotland Sue and track down the famed Silver Surfer, the woman is a genius or else name the plant after her ( that should get her attention ). Never mind that Greengage sure he knows notthinn!!!

Greengage · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 7:57 am Post subject:

Look you need to smoke the woman out she is watching this forum so put it up under a different heading in plant id . Can someone please identify this plant. Laughing

Mews · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 07 Feb 2015 Posts: 31

You can try searching at this location.

http://www.astilbecollection.co.uk/astilbe-list-view/advanced-search.html

Greengage · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 7:53 am Post subject:

We agreed its Astible 'Colourflash'

Sue Deacon · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 9:58 am Post subject:

Thanks Mews for your suggestion. That's quite a collection, but no 'Colourflash'. It was found on a French Nursery site!

Silver surfer · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 9:58 am Post subject:

Hi folks...can't a person have a holiday? He he!
Presently busy trying to edit over 6,000 new plant pics.
Got to keep the little grey cells active.

Weather here in Scotland perfect. Clear blue skies, sunshine, no wind. Yes, it is cold but snowdrops in the lanes are out...days are getting longer...spring is round the corner. Trouble is the low sun shows up filthy windows. Grr.
To nice to be stuck indoors cleaning windows/editing pics.

I did look at this with some care.
I found a one that looked perfect ...but it had Plant Breeders Rights,( PBR ) was a new introduction and was in USA. I didn't think it would have made it to a local Irish nursery.
I try to keep up top date by checking out what Garden Centres are selling.

So decided to just shut up and say nowt.

It is very different with those red autumn leaves.
The important thing is it is an Astilbe...just enjoy it.

Incidentally the name Astilbe Color Flash has now been given is...

Astilbe x arendsii 'Beauty of Ernst' see..USA site.

http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/905/color-flash-astilbe/

This USA site says... New in 2014.

http://www.growingcolors.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=2384