A Year in the Valley

Down in Alder Corner is a good place for Astilbes to grow as they like moist dappled shade.  They are not supposed to like waterlogged ground, but one or two come up here every year.  They have attractive, red-edged leaves and will shortly flower with pink feathery plumes.  False Goats Beard is a non-native plant. Ours are not very tall, but in North America, there is a species of Astilbe that can grow up to nearly 2m.