If you find it at Star or Plant World it will be ok for here. I don't like the lowes and home depot stock, it always seems to kick the bucket for me. Might be your soil too, its so alkaline here. good luck, Barb

It must be hard to come from cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter San Diego to Las Vegas. Not only for you but also plants which find our weather, soil and water tough.

I don't think astilbes stand a chance here but there are so many plants that actually like it here and would appreciate a little shade from our brutal sun.

Salvia coccinea(red) would be a good choice and our Salvia farinacea(blue) hasn't stopped blooming all summer in the shadiest spot in our yard. Our guara lindheimeria(white) has bloomed nonstop despite being swallowed up by that thug Salvia clevlandii.

Ruellia(purple) is a nonstop performer that appreciates some shade but it can be quite invasive so if this might be a problem then don't get it. Also a lot of succulents would appreciate some shade even though they don't flower much and would be like bringing San Diego here.

Good luck, Maria

I don't think Astilbe would be a good doer, if it survives at all in Vegas. My experience in the Reno area is that sun in Nevada is a lot harsher (probably my altitude, too), so unless it's really and truly a full sun plant, it can tolerate up to medium shade and still grow well. I have lots of "full sun" plants growing (and even blooming) in part to nearly full shade.