Astrantia Cultivation Instructions
Astrantia (commonly known as “masterwort") sparkle in the shady garden like the stars they are named for. Native to central and eastern Europe, astrantia easily adapts to any location providing rich soil, regular moisture and dappled shade. Widely used and loved in Europe for the long lasting summer blooms that remain colorfast when dried, astrantia are not yet often seen in American gardens and they deserve to be.
Beloved by butterflies and flower arrangers alike, astrantia form mounds of handsome, lobed leaves, topped by clusters of colorful, complex and long-lasting flowers. Abundant blooms throughout the summer, very effective in mass plantings, and easy to grow in containers. Generally deer and pest resistant, astrantia is a romantic addition for cottage gardens, and a fuss-free addition to any style.
Astrantia is very adaptable, and will grow well in full sun, given plenty of water, or in full shade, where foliage is lush, and blooms are few. Ideally, astrantia should be grown where they will receive a few hours of morning light, with dappled shade the rest of the day. For best growth and performance, astrantia should be planted in partial sun to dappled shade. While Astrantia easily withstands the harsh winters of the north and midwest, and a wide range of growing conditions throughout the country, it does not fare well with the combined heat and humidity of the south.
Astrantia will grow in heavy clay soils, but better prefers slightly acidic, light rich, loamy soils that retain moisture, but drain off standing water. Incorporate compost, dried leaves, even used coffee grounds, into your soil for more organic nutrients. Coffee grounds will also add enough acidity to the soil for the astrantia to be perfectly happy. Plant your bare root astrantia with the crown ½ - 1 inch below the surface of the soil, with the roots spread out and down. Fill in with loose soil and do not pack it down too tightly. Mulch to maintain even moisture. Water regularly and thoroughly to maintain a fairly even soil moisture. It will not survive sustained periods of dry soil.
Astrantia typically bloom from early to mid-summer. The varieties we offer have been bred for an exceptionally long and abundant bloom season, and they produce flowers from early summer right through to early fall. Deadhead, or remove, spent blooms to encourage continued bloom production. The flowers make long lasting cuts for fresh bouquets, and they dry beautifully for winter interest.
Your Astrantia will shrug off the coldest of winters, and be ready to grow and bloom for you, bigger and better, every year! Enjoy!
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