About
Astrantia major subsp. biebersteinii is a compact perennial that reaches heights of up to 45 cm. It develops a dense mound of lobed foliage and features short stems that bear white flower clusters, tinged with a subtle pink hue. The tiny flowers are arranged in a distinctive pincushion formation, encircled by star-shaped bracts.
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
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 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
- Best grown in moist, fertile, preferably humus-rich soil in sun or part shade; drier conditions tolerated
- Pruning
- No pruning required, but deadhead to encourage repeat flowering and, if seedlings are not wanted, deadhead before seed is ripe
- Propagation
- Propagate by division in spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, slugs and astrantia leaf miner
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews