What a beauty! I was on a waiting list for two years before I was able to get these! 'Dark Side of the Moon' is the only dark leafed Astilbe with purple flowers that's on the market. Yummy dark chocolate leaves form a striking mound of foliage. Emerging leaves are yellow with a dark margin and a glossy sheen that become completely dark as they age. Tall dark and handsome stems hold raspberry buds that burst forth with rosy purple flowers. It is like no other! This performs best both for growing and flowering in full sun in the north but with adequate moisture. And yes, it also grows in shade.

As an Astilbe chinensis (Chinese Astilbe) hybrid, this one will be a later blooming astilbe useful for extending the bloom season into late summer. Though garden performance is far superior in moist soils, members of this species are the most drought tolerant of all astilbe.

Consider pairing these with a yellow leaved companion like hakonechloa for a stunning contrast.

PW premium 1 gallon containers

20-22” high by 24-28” wide

Scapes can be as tall as 32”

First 2 images are courtesy of Walters Gardens - the third is one of my plants