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When to Plant Astilbe in Caddo County, OK

Caddo County, Oklahoma Zone 7b June

June to-do list for Caddo County, Oklahoma

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Caddo County, Oklahoma this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 4
Avg. first frost November 4
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Time to start astilbe inside

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

  2. Start harvesting astilbe

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

July will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: astilbe

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Astilbe (Astilbe x arendsii) is a premier perennial for shaded, moist gardens, producing feathery plume-like flower spikes in shades of pink, red, white, and lavender above deeply cut, ferny foliage. Originating in Asia and naturalized in shade gardens worldwide, astilbe thrives where many sun-lovers fail: under trees, beside water features, or in persistently moist woodland borders. The dried flower plumes remain attractive through fall and winter. Different cultivars extend the bloom season from early summer through early fall when several varieties are combined.

Caddo County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 214 days.

At an elevation of 762 feet, Caddo County receives approximately 32.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Astilbe during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Caddo County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
214 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
214 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Caddo County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Astilbe Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Apr 4 🌸 Bloom: Jun 13 – Aug 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Apr 11 🌸 Bloom: Jun 20 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Apr 22 🌸 Bloom: Jul 1 – Aug 26

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Caddo County

How your county's soil matches Astilbe's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.4) is within Astilbe's preferred range (6.0–8.0).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Caddo County is excellent for Astilbe — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (4.0%). Annual compost additions will help Astilbe.

How to Plant Astilbe

1.5"
Planting Depth
18"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Astilbe

3
successive plantings in your 214-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 27 to harvest before frost.

Astilbe Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,988 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Astilbe

Astilbe needs approximately 1.5 inches of water per week (6.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Astilbe Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 3.5" 3" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 4.8" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 5.1" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 4.2" 2.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 4" 2.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 3.1" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 1.7" 4.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 6.5" 1" 5.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Caddo County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Astilbe Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Astilbe needs ~1,424 GDD — county provides 3,584 GDD Excellent fit

Astilbe Planting Timeline — Caddo County, OK

Astilbe Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 31 Jan 31 – Feb 14
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25
Bloom June 20 Jun 20 – Aug 15

Plant 1.5" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June Bloom
July Bloom
August Bloom
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

70–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

214 days in Caddo County

Growing Tips for Astilbe in Caddo County

Direct sow Astilbe outdoors after April 04 in Caddo County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Plant bare-root crowns in spring as soon as the ground is workable, setting eyes 1–2 inches below soil level. Fall planting (Zones 4+) is equally effective. Consistent moisture is non-negotiable — astilbe will wilt and scorch in drought. Amend with generous compost to improve moisture retention. Partial shade (morning sun, afternoon shade) is ideal; deep shade reduces bloom but foliage remains. Fertilize lightly in spring with a balanced slow-release granular. Divide every 3–5 years in early spring as clumps become congested. Leave plumes standing through winter for ornamental interest and wildlife value. Year 2+ plants produce the fullest bloom spikes; first-year crowns may flower lightly or not at all.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Astilbe in Caddo County, OK?

Caddo County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Astilbe planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Caddo County, OK?

Caddo County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is November 4.

🌱

Your Caddo County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Caddo County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Caddo County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.