'Dark Side of the Moon' Astilbe: Care and Growing Guide
'Dark Side of the Moon' Astilbe is a perennial selection of Astilbe hybrid. This reference combines the breeder’s dimensions, exposure and seasonal information with a practical placement sketch. It describes the named plant; it does not indicate that Blessed Blooms currently stocks or ships it.
Plant identity and growing facts
| Botanical identity | Astilbe hybrid; 'Dark Side of the Moon' |
|---|---|
| Plant type | Perennial |
| Light | Sun or Shade |
| Height | 20 - 22 Inches |
| Spread | 24 - 28 Inches |
| Spacing | 24 - 28 Inches |
| Hardiness zones | 4a–9b |
| Flower color | Purple |
| Foliage | Black |
| Seasonal interest | Summer |
| Water category | Consistent |
| Habit | Upright |
| Soil fertility | Average Soil; Fertile Soil |
| Soil pH category | Acidic Soil; Neutral Soil |
Reference: 'Dark Side of the Moon' Astilbe hybrid — Proven Winners, checked 2026-10-31. Dimensions describe an established plant rather than the size of a pot offered for sale.
Does it fit your growing space?
The published exposure is Sun or Shade, with a mature height of 20 - 22 Inches and spread of 24 - 28 Inches. Its published height and width are reasonably close; sketch both dimensions when checking its fit among neighboring plants. Check the light at the actual planting spot, including shade cast by taller plants as they grow.
A spacing sketch for 'Dark Side of the Moon'
Using the upper published mature width of 28 inches, 4 plants would occupy approximately 112 inches of a ten-foot run if their mature canopies just met. This is a scale illustration, not a planting prescription. It reserves the full mature width for each plant; paths, access and the breeder’s planting-distance recommendation may require more room. A mixed border needs space for its other plants as well.
Water, winter conditions and maintenance
The breeder’s water category is Consistent. Use it to compare this selection with neighboring plants; it is not a fixed watering interval. Check the root-zone moisture, drainage and weather when deciding whether to water. Its listed hardiness range is 4a–9b. Hardiness is a winter-cold reference, not a guarantee of performance in every soil or summer climate.
“Astilbes are long-lived perennials that enjoy nutrient rich soils. Though all kinds of astilbe enjoy growing in moist…”
This short opening excerpt is from the breeder’s maintenance notes. Read the complete instructions for this exact selection before using fertilizer or changing a pruning routine.
Considering it for a cutting garden
Proven Winners includes cut flowers among the uses for this selection. Its recorded bloom period is Summer and its flower-color category is purple. Use those traits to plan color and seasonal overlap with your other plants. This listing does not establish a specific harvest stage, stem length or vase life; those require cultivar-specific harvest guidance or an observed trial. For an arrangement, sketch how this flower’s color would relate to the other ingredients before cutting a whole batch.
Compare other Astilbe selections
These named selections have their own growing profiles. Compare their published dimensions and exposure before choosing for the same space; a shared genus does not make their growing requirements interchangeable.
- 'Dark Side of the Moon' Astilbe: height 20 - 22 Inches; spread 24 - 28 Inches; light Sun or Shade.
- 'Milk and Honey' Chinese Astilbe: height 28 - 30 Inches; spread 18 - 20 Inches; light Sun or Shade.
- 'Rise and Shine' Astilbe: height 25 - 28 Inches; spread 12 - 18 Inches; light Sun or Shade.
- Delft Lace Hybrid Astilbe: height 24 - 36 Inches; spread 24 Inches; light Part Sun to Sun.
Comparison sources: 'Milk and Honey' Chinese Astilbe — Proven Winners; 'Rise and Shine' Astilbe — Proven Winners; Delft Lace Hybrid Astilbe — Proven Winners. Dimensions are breeder reference ranges, not comparative trial results.
Flowers and learning from home
For practice designing with cut flowers, explore the Online Hand-Tied Bouquet Workshop and flower-arranging ebook. The Online Courses page explains the options.
For a florist-designed gift, see the current Featured Bouquet and shipping details for eligible continental U.S. destinations. This plant reference does not describe the ingredients in the current bouquet.
Source and scope
Plant facts: 'Dark Side of the Moon' Astilbe hybrid — Proven Winners. Researched 2026-10-31. The placement calculation and design prompts are editorial planning tools. No firsthand growing trial, current stock or guaranteed performance is claimed.