Astrantia major
masterwort
- approx 50 seeds
- £2.99
- available to order from autumn 2024
Delivery options
- Seed Packets (only) £2.95
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: fertile, moist, preferably humus-rich soil
- Rate of growth: average to fast
- Hardiness: fully hardy
An erect, clump-forming perennial with pale, papery pincushion flowers centred with a blush of pink and surrounded by a ruff of green-tipped bracts. Astrantia major is the species from which all cultivated forms descend and are imbued with masterwort’s ability to freely flower over a long duration in drier, shadier spots of the garden once established. The mounding, palmate, divided leaves hold onto their vigour throughout the summer while the blooms make an excellent and long-lasting cut flower.
Incorporate plenty of organic matter when planting and water well in dry weather, especially newly established plants. Lift and divide large clumps in early spring and apply a generous 5-7 cm mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the plant. Divided specimens may take some time to establish since they dont like having their roots disturbed.
Astrantia seeds require a period of moisture and cold to germinate and are easiest sown into pots in late autumn and left outside over winter for spring germination. Alternatively, in spring, surface-sow onto moist, well-drained compost and moved to a cool location, such as a cold frame, for 4 weeks at around 39°F (4°C). Later sowings can be artificially stimulated by covering them with a polythene bag and placing in a refrigerator. Return to warmth at 64-71°F (18-22°C). Germination can take many months. Transplant seedlings once large enough to handle into individual pots and grow on, hardening off for 2 weeks before planting out.