Astrantias: the largest umbels
for a charming summer flowering in the garden
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There is only one word to describe the flower of the Astrantia: magnificent! During summer, this easy-to-grow perennial that thrives in partial shade and prefers cool, well-drained soil unfolds flowers with a sophisticated appearance that are truly stunning. Often pale pink or white, this exceptional flower has been given several names: Great astrantia, Great masterwort, Mountain sanicle, and Meadow star, yet it remains relatively unknown to amateur gardeners. A melliferous plant, it is a good source of food for pollinating insects that delight in feasting on the umbel flowers of Astrantia, which are about 3 cm in diameter. But be aware that there are also varieties with larger flowers! So discover without further delay the largest umbels of Astrantia with pink, white, or red flowers from our collection.
Astrantia major 'Pink Sensation'
Astrantia major ‘Pink Sensation’ is very elegant with its 5 cm diameter umbel flowers arranged in a very fine and delicate manner. A blend of pink, white, and pale green is meticulously and precisely organised on the bracts and flowers present from June to August. During the flowering period, this very hardy perennial (down to -15°C) forms an upright clump, with flower stems 60 cm tall. The palmate leaves of a very fresh light green further enhance the graceful flowers. In a border in a cool, shaded position, pair the Great Masterwort ‘Pink Sensation’ with variegated green and white foliage Hostas such as Hosta ‘Night Before Christmas’, with Columbine ‘Nora Barlow’ flowering until July, and Digitalis purpurea ‘Alba’ positioned in the background.
Astrantia major ‘Pink Sensation’
Astrantia major 'Shaggy'
The sublime Astrantia major ‘Shaggy’ offers us an exceptional flowering! This Great Masterwort produces particularly large umbels, with a collar of bracts that can measure 5 to 7 cm in diameter! Throughout the summer, from June to August and even into September if we gradually cut back the faded flowers, they cluster in groups of about ten at the top of each flower stem. Initially tinted light pink with a darker centre, they then subtly colour white and green at each end of the bracts. The rigid flower stems of this perennial with a bushy habit rise to about 60 cm tall. With a spread of approximately 45 cm, its medium green palmate foliage is deciduous and thus disappears in winter. However, it is worth noting that it is very dense during the growing season. Plant this ‘Shaggy’ Masterwort, known for its good floribundity, in a cottage-style border with grasses like Sesleria automnalis, pastel mauve Autumn Asters like Aster cordifolius ‘Little Carlow’, the Daisy ‘Queen of May’, the Great Rose Pimpinella, and the Scabious ‘Butterfly Blue’.
Astrantia major ‘Shaggy’ (photo pastilletes)
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Astantia major 'Venice'
The Astrantia major ‘Venice’ is one of the recent and highly floriferous varieties. The colour of its flowers is exceptional for an Astrantia! Indeed, the inflorescences, resembling a dressmaker’s needle, are dressed in a deep pink, sometimes varying to purple or burgundy. These umbels, favoured by butterflies, can reach up to 5 cm in diameter and are excellent for creating dried flower arrangements. To achieve abundant summer flowering, plant the Astrantia ‘Venice’ in partial shade preferably, avoiding scorching sun. Of similar stature to the Astrantia major ‘Shaggy’, this deciduous perennial with medium green leaves finds its place at the edge of woodlands, accompanied by blue-flowered perennials such as the Veronica ‘Royal Blue’ or Liriope ‘Super Blue’ to create a beautiful colour contrast. Finally, some ferns like the Dryopteris stewartii add a graphic touch.
Astrantia major ‘Venice’ (photo je_wyer – Flickr)
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White flower astrancesAstrantia major 'Super Star'
The Astrantia major ‘Super Star’ is a recent cultivar very similar to Astrantia major ‘Shaggy’. Its main advantage is its long flowering, which is very repeat flowering, occurring from May to October. Vigorous and even more floriferous than ‘Shaggy’, this Masterwort produces pale greenish-white flowers, although these do not change colour as is the case with the ‘Shaggy’ variety. Additionally, note that its large 5 cm flowers have a long vase life. The flower stems can reach up to 60 cm tall, above the foliage forming a clump 40 cm high. Also darker, the 5-lobed leaves of this Masterwort are deeply cut. Hardy down to -15°C, incorporate the Astrantia major ‘Super Star’ into an elegant white garden, in a location that is not too hot, alongside the Hardy geranium ‘Algera Double’, the Virginia spiderwort ‘Innocence’, the Bergenia ‘Jelle’, and the Japanese anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’.
Astrantia major ‘Super Star’
Astrantia maxima
Equipped with a running stump, the Astrantia maxima makes a statement in the garden, reaching heights of 60 cm to 1 metre and about fifty centimetres wide. Also known as Great Flowered Astrance, it has received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society for its excellent colour stability and good resistance to diseases and pests. Furthermore, this species of Astrance is particularly distinguished by its perfectly uniform old rose flowers. Its large inflorescences measuring 5 to 7 cm in diameter have broader bracts than Astrantia major. Melliferous, they attract bees and other pollinating insects. Note that its three-lobed ovate leaves have also earned it the name Hellebore-leaved Astrance. Often used as a cut flower, Astrantia maxima fits beautifully into a romantic garden with pastel tones alongside Oriental Poppy ‘Karine’, Phlox paniculatus ‘Bright Eyes’, Monarda ‘Beauty of Cobham’, Gillenia trifoliata, and Pennisetum orientale with its light, rosy plumes.
Astrantia maxima
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