Astrantia major White Giant - Masterwort

Astrantia major 'White Giant', is a recent variety of large-flowered astrantia that is particularly bright. Its large flowers are adorned with white bracts, shiny and discreetly veined with green. Its timeless charm operates throughout the summer and the flowers are particularly attractive to butterflies. This perennial, a regular in medicinal gardens, is so easy to grow that it often finds its way into neglected areas.  This favourite of florists is a good flower for both dried and fresh bouquets .

Astrantia major, native to central and eastern Europe, belongs to the family Apiaceae (formerly known as Umbellifers), making it a distant relative of the carrot.  Its bushy and somewhat loose habit enhances the elegance of its flowering. The plant forms a tuft about 60 cm (24in) tall, with approximately 45 cm (18in) for the foliage and 45 cm (18in) wide when in bloom. The foliage is dense and composed of palmate deciduous leaves with 5 deep lobes, lanceolate, toothed, of a fairly dark green colour, and strongly veined. The flowers in umbels, 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3in) wide, appear from June to August-September, at the end of thin, very rigid stems, ideal for vases. They are composed of dozens of small white star-shaped flowers , tinged with green, surrounded by a collar of large pearly bracts, which play beautifully with the light. The bracts are also white and veined with dark green on the edges.

Easy to grow, Astrantia major 'White Giant' thrives in humus-rich soil, even slightly chalky soil, in a fresh and well-drained location in sunny, semi-shaded, or even shady climates. This ancient plant, very popular in contemporary gardens and floral arrangements, requires little maintenance and thrives even in neglected gardens. It is particularly well-suited to the 'meadow' style, planted in drifts, as its flowers, which complement ornamental grasses, bring texture to flower beds. You can also create large country bouquets with bellflowers and foxgloves from herbaceous borders, and of course create pretty fresh or dried floral arrangements. It pairs perfectly with perennials and roses in natural and/or romantic settings.

Tip: Combine several varieties to create a beautiful colour palette.