Vision Inferno is a chinensis-type astilbe with dense, salmon-pink flower plumes rising over glossy, deeply cut foliage in early to mid summer. The chinensis types handle southern conditions better than most astilbes, which makes this one a realistic choice for Birmingham shade gardens.

Astilbes are moisture plants: give it shade to part shade and soil that never dries hard, with compost worked in and mulch over the roots. It even tolerates damp spots. Leave the bronzed seed plumes standing for texture into fall, then cut back in winter.