I have two astilbes which are in full sun most of the day and do very well, they've been in the garden about ten years. It wasn't until recently, on this site, that I learned they liked loads of water! Strange:)

Thatss what I dont understand either Sheilar.

That is a good question Drc, not that I could ever begin to give you an answer, but have commented so I might be able to learn something :)
Your other comment seems to be true hopefully you/we will get an answer

Any Gunnera I have know has simply sat and sulked if it doesn't get enough moisture... move it and it starts to grow properly. Most moisture loving plants can survive, note survive, in dryer soil but will do much better if planted in the correct conditions.

water plants love the sun yet they still need damp feet thats why liillies go to such lengths th make sure there leaves are completly above water .

this is an interesting one. Your Astilbes, Sheilar, must be getting a good supply of water at their roots - they're perfectly happy in full sun, but won't grow at all well if the soil dries out all the time. I know 'cos I've tried. Applies to yours as well, Drc. A fair few 'dry' plants like lavender will grow in damp soil - but usually give up in the winter when its just too wet and heavy for them. As for the Houtyana, that just spreads like crazy, usually looking for more moisture, but it is classed as an invasive 'weed' in some parts. Most 'shade loving' plants will tolerate, even seek out, sunnier spots (foxgloves, for instance) but won't do well if they don't get enough moisture at the roots. Many plants on the list of shade lovers actually like sun, but just need damp at the roots.

im glad i was right great minds bamboo lol x .

Yes, Nosey, I meant to acknowledge yours and Moongrower's responses, which both contain useful info centring (that don't look right, how do you spell centre-ing, lol) around what I'm saying.

your explanation was a lot more detailed so better but all basicly right . i cant spell at all hardly im afraid lol x .

I'm used to that, Nosey - I have a dyslexic son...

Bamboo, you could be right as where my astilbes are at the bottom of a sloping garden, I've noticed the lawn there is quite a bit greener that the lawn higher up the slope. What I'm saying is it's possible, as they're at the bottom of the slope that they get more water at their roots as they're at the bottom. Hope this makes sense!

Yes Sheila they get all the water their roots need... then they are perfectly happy having their heads in the sun. It is like the whole 'Clematis need a cool root run' actually they need a damp one!

Thanks MG NP and Bamboo that gives me a better idea. There is an old disused deep well in the garden so perhaps there is water underneath that these plants find?

Very likely Denise...

My astilbes that have done well for the past four years
are looking very miserable and have not grown at all. One has not even tried to flower, and the other has only produced a few poor efforts. There seem to be limits to how much dryness they can take - perhaps the drought happened at the wrong time of year for them.

The drought in spring was 15 weeks here and I found I had to water much earlier then usual as some plants were wilting and some shrubs were shedding leaves.

your more than welcome drc726 . bye the way its handy having a well in the garden as you if you can see the water that is see egsactly wear the water table is . youl know then qwhat trees/plants and shrubs that probably have there tap root in the water . then youl have a basic idea what needs watering and when . personaly id love a well in my garden . even better im my living room lol . id get a thick piece of glass the shape of the hole so you can walk on it . put a couple of subtle spot lights in it and build an alien as if its climbing up the side as if its trying to get out but i guess i dont think i think like most people somehow . maybe i should be wearing one of them white jackets with the sleaves that face backwards lol .

This is the third house I have lived in with a well NP, they have all been long abandoned. This one has been covered and I will not be having a look as there is always danger of collapse. The one in my childhood garden we didnt know was there till my father fell in it when it gave way after prolonged wet weather - he was very lucky not to be badly hurt.

lucky you x .

:))