Astilbe chinensis Darkside Of The Moon - Chinese Astilbe

Astilbe chinensis Darkside Of The Moon - Chinese Astilbe

Astilbe chinensis Darkside Of The Moon
Chinese Astilbe, False Spirea

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8/9 cm pot

From 5,90 €

Price per item 6,90 €
Price for 3: 17,70 € i.e 5,90 € each

Sku: 18158

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2L/3L pot

13,90 €

Sku: 1815811

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This Astilbe is the first with dark foliage and purple flowers! From July its pink violet flowers, gathered in upright and well-dressed panicles, illuminate the surroundings of water features, cool borders, and wet areas of the garden. It also performs very well in a large pot kept moist on the terrace. Very resistant to cold, never sick, Astilbe lives a long time in the same spot. In addition to the flowering, the chocolate brown foliage is truly decorative.

Flower size

20 cm

Height at maturity

80 cm

Spread at maturity

65 cm

Exposure

Sun, Partial shade

Hardiness

Hardy down to -34.5°C

Soil moisture

Moist soil, Damp soil

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Best planting time March, October

Recommended planting time March to May, September to November

JAN J

FEB F

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MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

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Flowering time July to September

JAN J

FEB F

MAR M

APR A

MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

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Description

A rare specimen in its species, 'Darkside Of The Moon' is the first astilbe with dark foliage and purple flowers! Its new leaves emerge yellow veined with dark brown and darken to almost-black chocolate at maturity. From July its pinkish-purple flowers, gathered in stiff upright panicles, illuminate the surroundings of water features, cool beds, and moist areas of the garden. It also performs very well in a large container kept moist on the terrace. Very hardy, never sick, Astilbe lives a long time in the same spot. In addition to its flowering the divided foliage, in a chocolate brown, almost black colour, is very decorative, although it disappears in winter.

Astilbe 'Darkside Of The Moon' comes from the chinensis species, from the Saxifragaceae family, and is native to China, Korea, and eastern Siberia. It is a rhizomatous and herbaceous perennial plant that is fond of humid and fertile soils, although less water-demanding than other species. Of medium growth, Asltilbe 'Darkside Of The Moon' reaches 70-80 cm (28-32in) in height when in flower, 50 cm (20in) for the foliage, and spreads over 65 cm (26in). Initially raspberry-coloured in its buds, from July to September this Astilbe develops fluffy panicles composed of tiny pinkish-purple flowers. In a vase, the fresh flowers are beautiful but quickly wilt. Its thick and finely cut foliage is a chocolate-brown, almost black. In spring, during budburst, it unfolds into shiny leaves, yellow veined with brown.

Plant this Darkside Of the Moon astilbe in a cool to moist bed, in partial shade, in the company of other perennials, or en masse. With its Heuchera-like foliage, it forms a nice contrast with Hostas or variegated Carex. Also consider cool soil perennials such as Ferns, Rodgersias, or Japanese Anemones.

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Astilbe: planting, cultivation, maintenance

Family sheet

Modified the 14 December 2025 by Virginie T. 13 min.

Astilbe: planting, cultivation, maintenance

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<a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/perennials/perennials-by-variety/astilbe-false-goatsbeard.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Astilbe</a> is a herbaceous perennial plant that is well-branched, notable for the poetry of its ethereal flowering and its delicate, finely cut foliage. Unjustly overlooked, it was widely used in the past to adorn our grandmothers' gardens, and the graceful Astilbe has made a comeback in gardens in recent years, thanks to the emergence of new varieties. From June to August, its airy inflorescences in long plumes of pink, white, or red, which can reach over 1.5 m in height for some Astilbes, illuminate the shaded corners of the garden. From Astilbe japonica, or Japanese Astilbe, which flowers early, to Astilbe x arendsii, a hybrid available in numerous varieties, and Astilbe chinensis, which flowers late in July-August and tolerates drier soils better than other species, all are remarkably floriferous, even in shade. It is no coincidence that Astilbe can be found in the wild, in wooded edges near watercourses! A perennial that loves damp places, it thrives in cool, heavy, marshy soils but also accepts any good garden soil as long as it is not too dry in summer. Astilbe is hardy (-20°C), never sick, and lives for many years in shade or partial shade. With its varied colours and low maintenance, it enhances naturalistic gardens, the edges of water features, the garden's wet areas, shady borders creating an evanescent mist under deciduous trees, or even rockeries and large fresh pots. When cut, Astilbe inflorescences make very pretty fresh or dried bouquets with a rustic charm. Romantic or fiery, ethereal, <a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/perennials/perennials-by-variety/astilbe-false-goatsbeard.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">from pink Astilbe to red Astilbe</a>, discover this beautiful, easy-to-grow perennial, essential for the banks of a pond and in cool soils!

Astilbe chinensis Darkside Of The Moon - Chinese Astilbe in pictures

Flowering

Foliage

Flowering

Flower colour purple

Flowering time July to September

Inflorescence Panicle

Flower size 20 cm

Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous

Foliage colour chocolate

Plant habit

Height at maturity 80 cm

Spread at maturity 65 cm

Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Astilbe

Species

chinensis

Cultivar

Darkside Of The Moon

Family

Saxifragaceae

Other common names

Chinese Astilbe, False Spirea

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference • 181581

Planting and care

To install, work your soil to a depth of 20 cm (8in), crumbling the soil well and adding a base amendment such as dried blood or horn. Position your plant, removed from its pot, covering the top of the root ball with 3 cm (1in) of soil. Fill in and water generously to eliminate air pockets. In dry weather, regular watering is necessary for a few weeks to facilitate root development. Astilbes thrive in marshy areas in sunny or partially shaded locations. Astilbe chinensis prefer a moist, even damp soil. They do not tolerate calcareous soil that is dry in summer. Spring frosts can damage the flowers and young leaves.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October

Recommended planting time March to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Shaded rockery, Woodland edge, Undergrowth, Pond edge

Type of use Border, Edge of border, Container

Hardiness Hardy down to -34.5°C (USDA zone 4) Show map

Ease of cultivation Amateur

Planting density 4 per m2

Exposure Sun, Partial shade

Soil pH Acidic, Neutral

Soil type Clayey (heavy), Silty-loamy (rich and light)

Soil moisture Moist soil, Damp soil, rich, humus-bearing and clayey

Care

Pruning instructions You can prune faded flowers to promote better foliage development. However flowering stems can be left in place to add interest to the garden during the winter season - in which case simply remove them the following spring by cutting back to 10 cm (4in).

Pruning Pruning recommended once a year

Pruning time February to April

Disease resistance Good

Overwinter Can be left in the ground