Description
A very attractive white astrantia with green tipped petals surrounding the pretty ‘pin cushion’ flower heads. Astrantia ‘Large White’ is very well suited to the prairie style planting schemes of the New Perennial Style as their flowers work well with wispy ornamental grasses and other prairie type plants.
Astrantia also looks great planted in large swathes weaving their way through herbaceous borders where their blooms can be enjoyed from June till August. Flowers also make a striking addition to cut flower arrangements so it’s worth planting a little more than you need in the garden.
Height and spread: 0.9 m Height, 0.45m Spread
Common name: Masterwort, Hattie’s Pincushion
Position in the garden: Full sun, partial shade
Soil type: Fertile, preferably humus rich soil
Flowering period: June to August
Hardiness: Fully Hardy
Goes well with:
Flowers - Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Ravenswing’, Allium hollafdicum ‘Purple Sensation’ (ornamental onion).
Grasses - Stipa tenuissima (feather grass)
Care of Astrantia major 'Large white'
Add plenty of moisture retaining organic matter to the soil as astrantias will suffer if allowed to dry out, newly established plants should be watered regularly in dry weather. Large clumps can be divided in early Spring but may take some time to establish as they don’t like root disturbance. A heavy 5-7cm mulch applied around newly divides plants will make the transition easier.
Wildlife benefits
Provides four months of pollen and nectar for bees, hoverflies, butterflies and other insects. Also provides winter homes for ladybirds.
