Astrantia
( ass - TRANT - ee - uh )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of flowering perennials takes full sun or partial shade and regular water. They are native to meadows and woodland areas of Central, Eastern and Southern Europe and the Caucasus and look great in cottage-style gardens. Also called Masterwort, this plant forms lush, leafy clumps of green and produces flowers surrounded by papery bracts, giving the flowers a bit of a pincushion look. Cut flowers are long-lasting in fresh flower arrangements, and are also great when dried. Masterwort will spread slowly by way of underground runners, and die back to the ground in wintertime. All species need good drainage for best performance. Grow these flowers in mixed beds or borders, in containers, or along pathways.
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Astrantia Species and Varietals
The genus Astrantia is in the plant family Apiaceae, and includes 10 species. The best growing zones for Astrantia are USDA hardiness zones 3-7 or Sunset growing zones 1-9 and 14-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Astrantia bavarica (Bavarian Masterwort, Hattie's Pincushion) Native to the Eastern Alps, these plants reach 12 inches tall and just as wide at maturity. The species was first described by Friedrich Wilhelm Schultz in 1858. Flowers are greenish-white with pink undertones and bloom from April through November in their native range. |
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Astrantia carniolica (Carniolan Masterwort, Red Masterwort, Carnic Masterwort) Plants in this species rarely surpass 18 inches in height, and produce white (or pink-red) flowers. The specific epithet carniolica refers to a region once called Carnolia (present-day Slovenia). These flowering plants are commonly found in their native range growing in mountains and grasslands, close to streams, and in calcareous soil. Variety 'Rubra' produces red flowers in summertime. |
Astrantia major (Great Masterwort, Greater Masterwort)
Plants in this species reach 3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide at maturity. Cultivars have a range of flower colors, from shades of white (the species' true color) to reddish-pink to purple. Varietals are outlined below:
Plants in this species reach 3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide at maturity. Cultivars have a range of flower colors, from shades of white (the species' true color) to reddish-pink to purple. Varietals are outlined below:
'Abbey Road'
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'Alba'
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'Buckland'
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'Burgundy Manor'
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'Claret'
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'Gracilis'
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'Hadspen Blood'
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'Pink Button'
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'Pink Pride'
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'Pink Sensation'
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'Roma'
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'Ruby Star'
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'Ruby Wedding'
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'Shaggy'
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'Star of Billion'
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'Sunningdale Variegated'
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Astrantia maxima (Largest Masterwort, Hellebore-Leaved Masterwort) Largest Masterwort is native to Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. This species grows to 35 inches tall and 2 feet wide. Pink bracts sit open, surrounding light pink flowers. These plants were first discovered by botanist Peter Simon Pallas in the year 1790. This species is a great garden addition, and requires some shade and moisture to thrive well. |
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Astrantia minor (Lesser Masterwort, Small Black Masterwort, Little Masterwort) This species is native to France, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland, and forms a clump of green foliage. Flowers are commonly white or cream-colored, and bloom in spring and summer atop tall, thin stems. Individual plants reach up to between 6 and 15 inches tall and 6 to 42 inches wide at maturity when in bloom. |
Caring for Astrantia
Plant Astrantia in a spot in the garden that receives partial sun. They do well when they are in a place that gets between 4 and 6 hours of direct sun each day. The more sun they get, the more flowers they will produce, though they cannot take full sun exposure. They are naturally woodland plants, and appreciate at least filtered shade. The best time of the year to plant Astrantia is in springtime after the last chance of frost has passed. They are typically purchased as seed (direct-sown or started indoors) or as specimens from a reputable nursery. If massing these plants, make sure to plant them between 18 and 24 inches apart for best coverage and airflow. Astrantia prefer well-draining soil; if local soils are compacted, do not drain well, or are particularly poor in nutrients, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic matter or compost before installing. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of plants, ensuring that mulch stays at least a few inches away from the stems. This will increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain a constant soil temperature.
Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. To prune, simply remove spent blooms to encourage more to develop. In late fall, after plants have finished flowering, cut all foliage back and mulch around the base of plants to insulate them over the cooler months of the year. Astrantia plants should be divided every few years, especially if they are being grown in a cramped space. For instructions on how to successfully divide Astrantia plants, see the Propagation section below. Astrantia flowers are herbaceous perennials with a life span of about 3-5 years, though most species re-seed freely and can also spread via underground roots, providing flowers and foliage in the landscape indefinitely.
Harvesting Astrantia
Astrantia flowers are used to add sprays of cheerful blooms to fresh and dried flower arrangements and bouquets. They are harvested in summer and fall, just as buds are beginning to open on stems. The best time of day to harvest Astrantia flowers is in the morning, after dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in. Using sharp, clean shears or snips, remove the flowering stem towards its base at an angle. Drop the stem into a bucket of cold water. When arranging, remove all leaves below the water line. Astrantia blooms have a vase life of between 10 and 14 days with proper care. Alternatively, these flowers can be used in dried bouquets, as well. After harvesting, bring bunches of harvested stems indoors and hang them upside down in a cool, dark dry place. Astrantia blooms keep their color when dried.
Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. To prune, simply remove spent blooms to encourage more to develop. In late fall, after plants have finished flowering, cut all foliage back and mulch around the base of plants to insulate them over the cooler months of the year. Astrantia plants should be divided every few years, especially if they are being grown in a cramped space. For instructions on how to successfully divide Astrantia plants, see the Propagation section below. Astrantia flowers are herbaceous perennials with a life span of about 3-5 years, though most species re-seed freely and can also spread via underground roots, providing flowers and foliage in the landscape indefinitely.
Harvesting Astrantia
Astrantia flowers are used to add sprays of cheerful blooms to fresh and dried flower arrangements and bouquets. They are harvested in summer and fall, just as buds are beginning to open on stems. The best time of day to harvest Astrantia flowers is in the morning, after dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in. Using sharp, clean shears or snips, remove the flowering stem towards its base at an angle. Drop the stem into a bucket of cold water. When arranging, remove all leaves below the water line. Astrantia blooms have a vase life of between 10 and 14 days with proper care. Alternatively, these flowers can be used in dried bouquets, as well. After harvesting, bring bunches of harvested stems indoors and hang them upside down in a cool, dark dry place. Astrantia blooms keep their color when dried.
Propagation
The best ways to propagate these plants is via seed or division. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant, especially if you are harvesting seed from a hybrid cultivar. To propagate your Astrantia flowers, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Astrantia by Seed
Propagating Astrantia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost, and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring, and needs to be completed every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance, especially if they are being grown in a cramped space. To propagate Masterwort by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Astrantia by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
- Harvest your seeds. The seeds of Astrantia plants are contained inside of the dried flowering heads of plants, which will turn brown and dry when mature. Once they have dried out completely, cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to release the seeds, and this process can be helped along with some rough handing (shaking the bag). Once seeds have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
- Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes between 21 and 30 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Propagating Astrantia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost, and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring, and needs to be completed every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance, especially if they are being grown in a cramped space. To propagate Masterwort by division, follow these steps:
- Gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water them in thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch around the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout over the spring and summer seasons.
Astrantia seeds are held in dried seed heads.
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Astrantia seeds,
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Problems and Pests
Astrantia plants do not have any major pest or disease issues, though they can suffer from the following from time to time:
- Aphids
- Slugs and Snails
- Powdery Mildew
- Astrantia Leaf Miner
- Root Rot
Gallery
In this border, light pink Astrantia flowers are planted amongst Salvia and Santa Barbara Daisy.
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The white flowers of this Astrantia plant are contrasted against the spikes of pink and purple Salvia.
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These flowers make beautiful edging for garden walkways.
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Astrantia and Polemonium share this mixed bed.
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Videos
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How to grow these flowers from seed.
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Learn all about these classic garden flowers.
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A quick video on these easy-care plants.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 178, Astrantia
