Astrantia 'Moulin Rouge' (Masterwort) — Bushy

Overview

Astrantia 'Moulin Rouge' is a plant with a bushy habit in the genus Astrantia, part of the Apiaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Astrantia 'Moulin Rouge' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, flower borders and beds and underplanting of roses and shrubs.

About

Astrantia 'Moulin Rouge' is a cultivar of Astrantia in the Apiaceae, forming multi-stemmed, rounded clumps of deciduous foliage. It produces distinctive flowerheads from June to August. Grow it in full sun or partial shade in chalk, clay, loam or sand so long as the soil remains moist but well-drained. Fully hardy (H7), it suits underplanting of roses and use in flower borders and beds.

About the genus

Astrantia is a genus of herbaceous plants in the family Apiaceae, native to Central, Eastern and Southern Europe and the Caucasus. There are several species, which have aromatic roots, palmate leaves, and decorative flowers. They are commonly known as great masterwort or masterwort which may also refer to other plants, particularly the unrelated Peucedanum ostruthium.

Wikipedia contributors, "Astrantia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Astrantia

In the garden

Astrantia 'Moulin Rouge' is a garden cultivar within the genus Astrantia (family Apiaceae) that produces a reliable summer display. The plant carries deciduous leaves on a rounded, multi-stemmed habit and flowers in a steady run from June to August, providing a predictable season of interest. Plant where it will receive full sun or partial shade and ensure soil stays moist but well-drained; it tolerates chalk, clay, loam and sand and performs across acid, neutral or alkaline pH. It is rated H7, meaning it is fully hardy for UK conditions and can remain outdoors through winter; it will tolerate exposed and sheltered positions and can be placed on north-, east-, south- or west-facing aspects. Use Astrantia 'Moulin Rouge' in groups in flower borders and beds, for underplanting of roses and shrubs, and in cottage, courtyard or wildlife gardens where summer flowers are required. Its summer flowering period makes it a practical choice for extending colour through mid-summer in mixed plantings and for tying together adjacent shrub or rose plantings without needing seasonal protection.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Astrantia

Sunlight: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained
Aspect: South-facing, East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
Exposure: Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness: H7

Plant details

Astrantia 'Moulin Rouge' size, habit and characteristics

Habit: Bushy
Foliage: Deciduous
Suggested uses: City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds, Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Astrantia 'Moulin Rouge'

Propagation: Seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe, Division in spring
Pest resistance: Astrantia leaf miner, Slugs, Aphids
Disease resistance: Powdery mildews

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Astrantia 'Moulin Rouge'?

Astrantia 'Moulin Rouge' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.

What soil does Astrantia 'Moulin Rouge' need?

Astrantia 'Moulin Rouge' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.

Is Astrantia 'Moulin Rouge' hardy in the UK?

Astrantia 'Moulin Rouge' has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.

How do I propagate Astrantia 'Moulin Rouge'?

Seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe, Division in spring.

More in the Astrantia genus

Browse all Astrantia →