Dark Side of the Moon Astilbe

You don’t need to travel to the dark side of the moon to find a beautiful Astilbe with chocolatey-brown leaves and delicate raspberry-pink flowers. One of the main attractions of Dark Side of the Moon is its unique coloring, resulting from the plant's high levels of anthocyanin, a pigment that gives the foliage its dark hue. The new leaves of the Dark Side of the Moon Astilbe emerge yellow with a dark margin and gradually fade into a rich, deep purply brown, adding contrast especially when planted near bright chartreuse and green foliage. In mid to late summer, the Dark Side of the Moon Astilbe grows tall, wispy panicles topped with hundreds of dainty mulberry buds that open into pink blossoms.  The bring pink flowers provide a beautiful contrast against the dark leaves.

At 24-28 inches wide and 22 inches tall, the compact Dark Side of the Moon Astilbe is an ideal choice for sunny and shady gardens alike. It is a member of the Saxifragaceae family and is native to China. The Dark Side of the Moon Astilbe grows best in light shade to dappled sun, especially in warmer and drier climates. While Astilbe can grow in full shade, you may experience less vigorous blooms. It is relatively disease resistant and deer resistant, allowing it to be planted near wooded areas. This low, mounding herbaceous perennial requires little more than an early spring trim and regular watering throughout the growing season. Astilbe also makes for a beautiful and unique cut flower. 

Dark Side of the Moon Astilbe Care

Darkside of the Moon Astilbe is a relatively easy plant to care for and can be grown in a variety of soil types as long as they are well draining. It prefers a soil pH that is slightly acidic to neutral and does well in rich, organic soil. This plant can tolerate full sun as long as it is provided with adequate moisture, but it will generally perform best in partial sun or dappled shade. To plant, dig a hole that is twice the width and of equal depth as the root ball. Amend your soil as needed to ensure proper drainage.

The Dark Side of the Moon Astilbe needs regular watering, especially in the hottest and driest months. After allowing the top inch or so to dry, water Astilbe deeply, encouraging the plant to grow stronger, deeper roots. To keep the soil moist, add 2-3 inches of mulch around the base of Astilbe in the spring. In addition, this astilbe benefits from regular fertilization every four to six weeks during the growing season to promote healthy growth and flowering; use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for flowering plants. However, it is important not to over-fertilize the plant, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers. 

As an herbaceous perennial, the Dark Side of the Moon Astilbe will die back to the ground after a hard frost. Avoid cutting the plant back until early spring, just before new foliage emerges. The spent foliage will protect the plant from extreme cold temperatures. Cut back the old foliage to the ground to allow the plant to produce new healthy foliage and encourage vigorous flowering. It is also a good idea to remove damaged or diseased foliage as it occurs. Once the flower spike has finished blooming, it can be cut back to keep your Astilbe looking neat and tidy.

When planting in containers, always choose a pot that is larger than the root ball to allow the plant some room to grow, and use a high-quality potting soil. Astilbe may require more frequent water in containers than when planted in a garden bed. If the leaf edges are becoming brown and crispy, the plant may not be getting enough water. 

Dark Side of the Moon Astilbe Spacing

Plant the Dark Side of the Moon Astilbe 24-28 inches away from other plants. When mass planting, that distance can be a bit less to allow them to grow together. Adequate spacing is essential to prevent overcrowding, which leads to decreased flowering and increased disease susceptibility. For container growing, select a pot with at least a 12-inch diameter and drainage holes.