Astrantia (as-TRAN-she-uh) Common Name:  Masterwort Light:  - Part sun to part shade Soil:  Humus-rich, moist but well-drained Moisture:  Average Blooms:  Summer Zones:  4 - 7 -*-

Astrantia 'Claret' Astrantia 'Moulin Rouge'

Astrantia Description and Cultural Information

Astrantia major, masterwort. (20 - 30"). Astrantia grows from underground runners, forming a dense basal clump of foliage with wirty stems branching into several flower clusters. The interesting flowers form a dome with a collar of bracts. The species has greenish white flowers with a pale green bracts. 'Lars' has wine red flowers, 'Roma' has pale red flowers with silvery-pink bracts, 'Rubra' has dark, maroon-red flowers, and 'Ruby Wedding' has dark red flowers and bracts. 'Moulin Rouge' PP#16549 has deep purplish-red bracts surrounding large red and green flowers.

How to Grow:  Astrantia prefers moist but well-drained, rich, organic soil in part shade to full shade. The high, open shade of tall trees is ideal. Remove spent flowers to encourage re-bloom. Take divisions in spring or late fall. Will often self-seed but the seedlings are easily removed or transplanted.

Landscape uses:  Astrantia natrualizes nicely under light, open trees. Plant it in the moist perennial border or along stream beds. Makes an excellent cut flower. Plant it with ferns, astilbe, ligularia, or moisture and shade loving grasses such as Carex and Hakone grass.