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No Quibble GuaranteeHow to grow Astrantia Major
A fully hardy, deciduous perennial which varies in height from 50-100cm with a 30-60cm spread. Foliage emerges in April and remains through to early autumn. Flowers are produced anywhere from May to July and come in paler whites and pinks as well as deeper, richer red or burgundy. Plant in late winter to early spring in moist, well-drained soil which enjoys full sun or part shade. Hardy to -20°c, Astrantia will provide great ground cover in an area where early spring bulbs are planted in the mid or front tier of a border. It is a valuable plant for bees and other pollinators and will also do well in a container or as a cutting flower.
Key Information
Soil pH
Position
Hardiness
Where & when to plant Astrantia Major
All types of Astrantia love to be planted in sun or dappled shade, in soil which is fertile and rich in organic matter. The planting area should be on well-drained ground which ideally stays moist, although once established, Astrantias can cope with drier conditions.
Plant your young Astrantia in Spring or Autumn which will allow the plants to put down roots whilst the soil is warm. If you have purchased plants in winter, it would be wise to leave the plants in their containers in a sheltered location until the weather warms up before planting out. For summer planting, extra care should be taken to ensure young plants are well watered and do not dry out.
How to plant Astrantia major
Place several plants together in a drift amongst other plants for impact and texture, spaced at least 40cm apart. Dig a hole which is slightly deeper and wider than your potted plant. Although Astrantia love damp soil, they require a site which drains well, so add a few handfuls of grit to the planting hole if your soil is prone to waterlogging. Next, you should add a generous amount of well-rotted manure, leaf-mould, or homemade compost to enrich the soil and feed your plants.
Gently tease your Astrantia out from its pot and loosen the roots a little before placing in the hole with the crown of the plant just below the surface of your soil. Fill in around the edges and base of your plant with more soil and firm around the base before watering in well.
Water your young plants every other day until they have established themselves.
Astrantia major can also be grown in pots. Choose a large, deep container with drainage holes to allow space for your plants to mature. Add a few broken crocks, followed by plenty of grit as a base layer to good quality multi-purpose compost enriched with organic matter for potted Astrantia. A close eye should be kept on watering all year round to ensure the soil never dries out.
What to plant with Astrantia Major
Reliable, long flowering, and resistant to pests like slugs and snails, Astrantia are a much-loved garden gem and make a great addition to cottage gardens as well as modern planting schemes. The papery blooms sparkle in dappled shade and are loved by bees and other pollinators.
Mix into the border, or plant under a tree or along a pathway with lush plants such as Hostas, Ferns, Heuchera, and Tiarellas, perhaps adding in other airy plants like Lysimachia, Persicaria, Astilbe, and Thalictrum for a fully and natural look in part-shade. These plants will all thrive in similar conditions to Astrantia.
Plant amongst Roses, Salvias, Aquilegias, Anthriscus, Poppies, Delphiniums, and Iris for a more traditional look, full of colour and texture.
Please contact our expert and friendly Customer Care Team at Hayloft if you would like any further growing guidance or planting suggestions for your Astrantia major - we will be more than happy to help.
How to care for Astrantia Major
Astrantia major are rewarding and easy to care for perennials which will thrive and naturalise in the right spot.
During dry conditions, soak the soil at the base of your plants in the morning or evening as hot dry conditions can cause the flowers to droop.
The stems of Astrantia make wonderful long-lasting cut flowers although the scent is not to everyone’s taste. Perhaps mix with sweetly perfumed flowers such as Sweet-peas and Roses in the vase if the smell bothers you. Blooms will last up to 2 weeks in the home if you regularly refresh the water.
Apply a thick layer of leaf mould or homemade compost to the base of plants in autumn which will both help to retain moisture in the soil and add nutrients, aiding the formation of next year’s flowers.
Deadhead stems back to the base of plants after the flush of flowers to promote a second flush in late summer.
In autumn, prune back and compost the foliage and any faded blooms and flowers to make way for the fresh growth in spring.
How to propagate Astrantia Major
Astrantias self-seed easily in the garden although the resulting seedlings may not match the parent plants, especially if you grow several varieties together. It is still worth potting up seedlings in autumn to grow on and plant out in spring. Be sure to deadhead blooms after they have set seed if self-seeding is not desired in the garden.
A great way to propagate new plants is by division in spring. Established plants should be divided every 2-3 years which will both re-invigorate the plants and provide you with new plants for your garden, or to share. Firstly, water your Astrantia generously which will help to loosen the roots, then using a garden fork, dig around each plant and lift out the whole clump.
Separate the mass of roots into several smaller sections by pulling apart with two forks or slicing it apart with a sharp spade. Pot up, or re-plant your new divisions in your garden straight away. Water your new plants in well, and regularly until established.