Astrantia – from the Greek aster meaning star. In reference to the star like flower umbels.

Commonly known as Masterwort.

Will grow in most soils in full sun but is quite happy in a bit of shade.

Flowers between June and August with flowers red, pink,white or variations there of.

Tends to be between in 0.5 and 1m in height with a spread of about 50cm.

My favourite: Propagate by division in Spring, instant free plants!!!

Here are the species names, however major, minor and maxima are the ones your going to see most places.

Species:

• A. bavarica – From Bavaria
• A. biebersteinii – Baron Bieberstein, 19th century German explorer
• A. carniolica – From Carniola now Slovenia
• A. Helleborifolia – Hellebore similar foliage
• A. macrolema – ?
• A. major – Greater
• A. Maxima – Largest
• A. Minor – Smaller
• A. ossica – ?
• A. pauciflora – few flowers
• A. pontica – From Pontus Asia Minor which now appears to be part of Turkey
• A. trifida – divided into three