Astrantia Collection

Astrantia are an absolute must-have for injecting much needed colour to those difficult, shady spots in the garden. Wonderful planted in a shady bed, border, or container where their distinctive blooms in complimentary shades of pink, red and white will impress from June to September. Known more commonly as Hattie's Pincushion, because the centre looks like pins stuck into a cushion, though we are never sure who Hattie was. The pincushions of tiny flowers are surrounded by ruff-like bracts, held on upright, branching stems, creating sprays of intriguing star-like blooms from May until September, sometimes even longer. The petals feel almost papery, and you will not be able to resist touching them to check they are real. Your collection comprises Astrantia major Star of Billion - a relative newcomer, developed for the cut flower market, creamy-white blooms with a pale pink tinge, height 75cm, spread 45-60cm; major Star of Beauty - purple-pink blooms with green centres, height 70cm, spread 45-60cm; Astrantia major Florence - pale pink blooms, height 90cm, spread 30-60cm. Perfect for pollinators, the bees just adore the blooms. Loved by florists too, Astrantia are excellent as cut or dried flowers in arrangements for your home. A huge bonus is they are slug resistant so the pests should leave them alone. Astrantia prefer to be grown in moist, well-drained soil in part shade. Reaching a height of approximately 60-80cm and spread 30-45cm Astrantia are fully hardy perennials that can be left outside all year round to be enjoyed for years to come.