Astrantia minor

LITTLE MASTERWORT

Syn. Astrantia major subsp. minor

Astrantia minor
LITTLE MASTERWORT
Syn. Astrantia major subsp. minor

Astrantia minor creates a cloud of lacy fine, pale pincushions.
It is called “Little Masterwort” only because the flowers are more petite, but they are so very prolific.
So they create a mist of white to palest pink, that glows beautifully in shaded areas where you really want some contrast.

Flock of finest Elizabethan ruffs

So the prettily ruffed everlasting type flowers, look all the world like a flock of the finest lace ruffs flown out from an Elizabethan lady’s wardrobe.
And keeps producing flocks of dainty flowers all through spring & summer.

Lovely foliage

The foliage of the Little Masterwort is also lovely.
Being more lacy, ferny and heavily cut than the larger Astrantias.

Commercial quality cut flowers

Astrantia minor is prized for wonderful and long lasting garden display, as well as commercial quality cut flowers.
So you can harvest whole bunches of the airy branched flower heads on their long, clean stems, for months.

Long lasting & elegant garden display

And the everlasting style of the flowers makes them long lasting in the garden too, to give a light, graceful, breezy look to the summer.

A star for the shade

Astrantia minor is a star in a shaded garden area, where her misty haze is so pretty.
So she is ideal to plant in Part Shade; where the area receives Morning Sun only; or Dappled Shade throughout the day.
All Astrantia positively purr in an easterly aspect, and will gently self seed if provided with a well composted area. This is one plant you will be delighted to see self-seeding.

Astrantia minor is a hardy and long-lived perennial, so once she is established, she will enchant you for many years.
And the foliage clumps are also very attractive, as they form neat, rounded mounds of dainty, glossy, shapely leaves.

Very frost hardy perennial clump.
40cm H x 60cm W.

SEED SOWING ADVICE:

Sow any time indoors in punnets / or scatter seeds directly in garden in autumn, winter or early spring.

Sow indoors for optimum germination: Sow seeds on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Now barely cover the seeds with mix / vermiculate / fine grit.
Because these seeds need light to germinate.

Then cling-wrap (or use a plastic bag), the moist, sown punnet.
And place the punnet in fridge (not freezer) for 3-5 weeks.

Finally remove the punnet from the fridge, unwrap & place in warm, well-lit position.
And continue to keep the sown punnet moist.

Temperatures of 15-20°C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.
You can use a temperature-controlled heat mat if you have one for rapid germination, but it is not essential. A window-sill (not in direct sun) or well-lit corner is also fine.

Seedlings emerge in approx. 21-30 days.

Seed Count: 15 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

GROWING: Astrantia minor

– Height with flowers: 40cm approx.
– Width: Perennial clump to a diameter of 60cm approx.
– Position: An ideal position is where the plant receives a few hours of Morning Sun and then Dappled Light or Partial Shade for the rest of the day.
Astrantias are shade lovers. So easterly facing positions are perfect.
They actually enjoy humidity.
– Water-wise: Astrantias are not particularly thirsty plants, once established in their preferred shaded position. So normal, average garden watering is sufficient.

Hardy in the right spot

– Soil: Astrantias are not particularly fussy about soil type. So they will tolerate a range of soil conditions, from quite light soils to clay and heavier soils.
And they are also obligingly tolerant of either alkaline (lime) soils or acid woodland type soils.
Plus they can tolerate the soil being waterlogged for periods. They do enjoy mulch.
– Frost: Astrantias are extremely frost hardy, as they can shrug off frosts down to at least -20C.
– Growth: Astrantias make a neat perennial clump of dainty foliage.
With massed blooms above on tall, branching stems.
There are only things to like about the way Astrantias grow, as they are polite and lovely shade lovers.
– Bees & birds: Bees as well as all types of beneficial pollinators, are always busy gathering pollen and nectar around the flocks of flowers.

Easy care

– Care: Easy to grow and very little maintenance required. Cut back close to ground level after flowering to rejuvenate fresh growth, as the foliage is particularly attractive.
And do harvest the stems for cut flowers, as this will only promote even more flowering.
– Deer & Rabbit resistant: Astrantias are generally left alone by our nibbling enemies, and they are also rarely if ever troubled by pests and diseases.
They are easy, hardy growers in the right place.
– Origin: Astrantia minor is native to upland areas in Spain, Italy and France. So they are well used to coping with changeable and challenging climate conditions with extremes between summer and winter.

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