Vivid lavender-pink plumes stand firmly upright in midseason above deeply incised, bronzy green leaves. Although this robust variety -- named for the wife of Chicago's mayor -- prefers moist soil, it's reputed to be more drought tolerant than other varieties, once established.

Astilbe is a rugged and beautiful genus of shade lovers that throw colorful spikes above divided foliage in summer, a time when color in the shade garden is hard to come by. Use them in groups in the woodland border, or mass them to create a ground cover. In evenly moist or wet soil, Astilbes are tough, pest-free, and handsome. The only thing they cannot endure is drought. The blooms are useful for cutting if they are picked when half open.

For more information on growing Astilbe, click on Growing Guide.