2026 Perennial of the Year!

‘Dark Side of the Moon’ is a dramatic, dark-leaved Astilbe with vivid purple blooms. New foliage emerges yellow with a dark, glossy margin before maturing to a rich, uniform deep color. Dark stems support raspberry-colored buds that open into rosy-purple flowers. This variety performs best—and blooms most heavily—in full sun with consistent moisture in northern climates, but it also grows well in shade.

• 20-22 inches tall and 24-28 inches wide at maturity
• Hardy in zones 4-9, be sure to check your USDA zone to ensure success
• Plant in filtered sun or part shade (4-6 hours daily)
• Space plants 24-28 inches apart for best results
• Produces purple flowers spring through summer
• Maintains black foliage spring to frost
• Great for borders, containers, cut flowers, dried flowers, mass plantings
• Attracts bees, resists deer and rabbits
• Perennials shipped Nov-Apr will arrive dormant; perennials shipped Apr-Oct will arrive green or in bloom

Care: Fertilize with Proven Winners Continuous Release Plant Food in spring before flowering starts. Wait to cut back the old foliage until spring; it will help protect the plant from winter damage. If the crown has risen above soil level in the spring, gently press it back into the ground and cover it with mulch or soil.

Shipping Info:

• Enjoy free shipping on orders over $75
• Size at shipping varies by season, plant, and trimming schedules
• Quart perennials are 5-8 in. at the time of shipment
• 0.65 Gallon perennials are 6-14 in. at the time of shipment
• 1 Gallon perennials are 6-24 in. at the time of shipment
• Perennials shipped Nov-Apr will arrive dormant; perennials shipped Apr-Oct will arrive green or in bloom 

Read our guide to get started with planning a garden