Astrantia major

Greater Masterwort

Also known as Aunt Hattie’s pincushion, Astrantia major is a herbaceous, clump-forming perennial, with an upright habit. The 3-5 lobed leaves, rather like a buttercup’s, are mid-green. The flowers rise on wiry stems to 2’/60cm above the clump. True, pincushion-like flowers are surrounded by a rosette of whitish, veined, petal-like bracts, tinged with pink and green; they are good for pollinators, and show really well in partial shade. Ideal for a cottage garden planting in partial shade, but also good in a city garden. Greater masterwort can cope with drier soils.

Site: Tolerates exposure
Soil: Any moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil
Position: Best in partial shade; tolerates full sun
Season of interest: Summer
Hardiness: Very hardy
Height: 2’ (60cm) Spread: up to 20” (50cm) in 2-5 years