Color Flash False Goat's Beard False Spirea

Color Flash® is an astilbe grown for both pale-pink flower plumes and foliage that changes through the season. Bright spring growth matures to green and burgundy-purple, then turns to warm autumn shades. ## Cultivar and seasonal display The [RHS profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/275445/astilbe-beauty-of-ernst-%28%C3%97-_arendsii_%29/details) identifies ‘Beauty of Ernst’ as Color Flash and describes a clump-forming plant with bright-green spring leaves, red-purple and green summer foliage, and gold, orange and russet autumn color; its pale-pink plumes appear in mid- to late summer. [GardenTap](https://www.gardentap.ca/products/astilbe-arendsii-color-flash-beauty-of-ernst-pp17343-color-flash-astilbe) gives the botanical name Astilbe arendsii Color Flash® (‘Beauty of Ernst’), confirms patent PP17343 and lists 40–50 cm for both height and spread. [Blue Sky Nursery](https://blueskynursery.ca/products/astilbe-arendsii-color-flash-beauty-of-ernst/) reports a 1.5–2-foot height and 1–2-foot spread, illustrating that mature measurements vary by source and site. ## Siting Plant in partial shade in moisture-retentive soil. Astilbes need regular moisture, especially in summer, and may scorch in hot, dry exposure. Use Color Flash along a shaded border or woodland edge where its changing foliage and plumes can be seen up close. ## Maintenance Keep the soil evenly moist during dry spells. Remove spent flower stems for a tidy appearance; divide crowded clumps when needed to restore space and vigor.