About
'Astrantia major 'Can Candy' is a compact perennial that typically reaches a height of 60 cm. It features finely dissected foliage that adds texture to the garden. The plant produces upright, branched stems adorned with dark red buds, which develop into pincushion clusters of small pink and white flowers. These blooms are framed by white bracts accented with deep red tips, providing visual interest from early summer through late summer.
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
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- 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
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, humus-rich soil in sun or part shade; prefers moist soil but will tolerate drier conditions
- Pruning
- Remove faded flower stems to prevent self-seeding
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe, or by division in spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, slugs and astrantia leaf miner
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews