Astilbe (Astilbe 'Verscarmine' YOUNIQUE CARMINE)
Astilbe 'Verscarmine' YOUNIQUE CARMINE provides dark pink, showy plumes in early summer for shady gardens. Low maintenance Astilbe suitable for Zones 4-9.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Astilbe ‘Verscarmine’ YOUNIQUE CARMINE is a standout herbaceous perennial valued for its dense, fragrant plumes of dark pink flowers that brighten shaded garden areas in late spring. As a member of the Younique™ series, this Astilbe is specifically bred to be very floriferous and compact, often presenting twice the flower count of older varieties. Gardeners appreciate Astilbe for its striking textural contrast provided by its fern-like foliage, making it an excellent low-maintenance anchor in woodland settings.
This particular cultivar, Astilbe ‘Verscarmine’ YOUNIQUE CARMINE, reliably reaches modest heights between 1.25 and 1.75 feet, offering vertical interest without becoming overgrown. It thrives where many flowering plants struggle, preferring the moist, humus-rich soils typical of shady woodland floors. Its aesthetic value extends beyond the bloom period, as the foliage generally stays attractive if provided consistent moisture throughout the summer heat.
Overall, this Astilbe delivers high ornamental impact with low effort, tolerating conditions ranging from part shade to full shade once established. Its resilience against common garden pests and its adaptability to specific challenging sites like Black Walnut root competition cement its place as a versatile and dependable perennial for dark corners of the landscape.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Saxifragaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.25-1.75 ft
- Spread: 1.25-1.75 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Dark pink
- Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
The best time to plant Astilbe ‘Verscarmine’ YOUNIQUE CARMINE is in the spring or early fall, allowing the roots time to establish before seasonal extremes. Choose a location offering part shade to full shade, especially shielding it from hot afternoon sun. Cultivation requires average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. This plant strongly prefers moist, humusy, organically rich soils; it is crucial that the soil is never allowed to dry out completely.
Consistency in moisture management is key. If regularly watered, the foliage of your Astilbe will likely remain attractive throughout the entire growing season. Applying a summer compost mulch will significantly help in retaining this vital soil moisture, reducing watering frequency. While removing faded flower stalks can clean up the look post-bloom, many gardeners leave them standing for the ornamental interest provided by the dried seed heads.
Maintenance for Astilbe ‘Verscarmine’ YOUNIQUE CARMINE is generally low. If clumping becomes too dense, dividing the clumps every three to four years will refresh vigor. Avoid letting the plant wilt severely, as this can lead to foliage browning, particularly during hot summer spells or drought periods when moisture demands are high.
Landscape Uses
Astilbe is ideally suited for transforming shady environments that lack consistent color. Astilbe ‘Verscarmine’ YOUNIQUE CARMINE excels when massed or grouped in woodland gardens, creating drifts of color beneath taller trees or structures. Its upright habit makes it an excellent edging plant for shaded borders or a graceful component near the front of cottage gardens where its texture can be appreciated up close.
Consider using this Astilbe near water features, such as pond or stream banks, where natural moisture levels are easily maintained. It also performs reliably near foundations where light is limited. Pair the deep pink plumes of Astilbe ‘Verscarmine’ YOUNIQUE CARMINE with plants that share similar cultural needs, such as Hostas, Japanese Forest Grass, or bleeding hearts, to build a cohesive, textural shade garden symphony.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Astilbe is a genus of around 20 species of clump-forming, herbaceous perennials native to eastern Asia and eastern North America. Plants are characterized by graceful, fern-like mounds of mostly basal, 2-3 ternately compound leaves, usually with sharply-toothed leaflets, and tiny flowers densely packed into erect to arching, plume-like flower panicles rising above the foliage on slender, upright stems.Genus name comes from the Greek words a meaning without and stilbe meaning brightness in reference to the dull leaves of some species.‘Verscarmine’ is a member of the Younique™ series bred by Dutch hybridizer Jan Verschoor in 2003 from the cross-pollination of an unnamed Astilbe arendsii seedling as the seed parent and an unnamed Astilbe japonica seedling as the pollen parent. It is sold as YOUNIQUE CARMINE™. Younique™ astilbes are more compact and are very floriferous, purportedly often producing twice as many flowers as other astibles. ‘Verscarmine’ has fragrant, triangular plumes of dark pink flowers. It is an upright, mound-forming perennial that grows 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 ft. Tall and wide. United States Plant Patent PP#20,324 awarded September 22, 2009
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Black Walnut
Potential Problems
Foliage decline, characterized by leaves browning up, is the most common issue and typically occurs during hot summers or periods of drought if soil moisture management is inconsistent. Powdery mildew and wilt may occasionally appear in humid conditions or if air circulation is poor. Japanese beetles might occasionally chew on the foliage, though this specific Astilbe variety is generally avoided by deer and rabbits. Ensuring consistent moisture delivery is the primary defense against cosmetic damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Astilbe suitable for?
Astilbe ‘Verscarmine’ YOUNIQUE CARMINE is hardy and adaptable across USDA Zones 4 through 9.
How large does Astilbe ‘Verscarmine’ YOUNIQUE CARMINE grow?
This compact perennial reaches a mature height and spread between 1.25 and 1.75 feet tall and wide.
When does Astilbe bloom?
This variety offers its dark pink, fragrant, showy blooms reliably from May into June.
What sun exposure does Astilbe need?
This plant is best sited in areas receiving part shade to full shade, requiring protection from intense, direct midday sun.
Conclusion
For dependable color and texture in shaded garden spaces, Astilbe ‘Verscarmine’ YOUNIQUE CARMINE is an exceptional choice, offering fragrant, showy plumes and deer resistance with minimal care. Understanding its firm requirement for consistent soil moisture is the key to long-term success with this wonderful Astilbe variety. Before planting, confirm your site provides the rich, moist soil conditions necessary to fully enjoy the beauty of Astilbe ‘Verscarmine’ YOUNIQUE CARMINE.
Companion Planting in Shade
When planning a shade garden around your Astilbe, focus on pairing it with plants that share its preference for humus-rich, consistently moist soil. Hostas offer wonderful contrasting foliage textures, with large, broad leaves playing nicely against the fine, lacy leaves of the Astilbe. Ferns, such as Japanese Painted Fern or Autumn Fern, are excellent companions, enhancing the woodland aesthetic that Astilbe ‘Verscarmine’ YOUNIQUE CARMINE naturally evokes.
For lower growing accents, consider woodland sedges (Carex species) or Lungwort (Pulmonaria). These ground-hugging plants provide complementary ground cover and bloom early, taking over interest as the Astilbe passes its peak in June. The goal is to layer textures and bloom times beneath the canopy, ensuring continuous visual appeal in your shaded borders.
Designing with Younique Astilbe
The compact nature of Astilbe ‘Verscarmine’ YOUNIQUE CARMINE makes it particularly useful where space is limited or clean lines are desired. Unlike some taller Astilbes, this variety works well right at the edge of a border, functioning effectively as an edging plant without flopping over pathways. Use drifts of three or five plants rather than single specimens to maximize the visual impact of the dark pink plumes.
In modern shade designs, incorporate hardscaping elements like natural stone or gravel beside the Astilbe plantings. This contrast between the soft, feathery texture of the Astilbe foliage and the sharp lines of stone really accentuates the plant’s unique form. Furthermore, its ability to tolerate heavy shade ensures reliable performance even against north-facing walls or under dense evergreens.
