About
Astrantia major is a robust perennial that grows in clumps and features leaves that are typically lobed with 3 to 5 segments. The flowering stems can reach heights of up to 60 cm, each supporting compound umbels of small, pale greenish-white flowers. These blooms are encircled by bracteoles that resemble petals, displaying a mix of white, green, and pink hues, highlighted by prominent veining. Various subspecies of Astrantia major have led to a diverse array of selections for garden use.
About the genus
Astrantia is a group of herbaceous perennials that grow in clumps, featuring basal leaves that are palmately lobed. The plants develop upright, slender stems that showcase dense clusters of small flowers, which are encircled by a whorl of prominent bracts.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- Europe, Caucasus
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Best grown in moist, fertile, preferably humus-rich soil in sun or part shade; drier conditions tolerated
- Pruning
- Cut back after flowers have faded to tidy and encourage a fresh flush of leaf growth
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe or propagate by division in spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to astrantia leaf miner, slugs and aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews