PEREN N I AL FOCUS
BOBBIE SCHWARTZ, FAPLD Bobbie’s Green Thumb Astrantia carniolica ‘Rubra,’ closeup.
ASTRANTIA MASTERWORT
The plant world offers the landscape designer or contractor many solutions for a shady environment. One of my favorites is Astrantia. Long blooming perennials for the shade are scarce but Astrantia will bloom from June until September or October if deadheaded. There are two species of Astrantia, A.major (Great Masterwort) and A.carniolica (Lesser Masterwort) which is a bit slower to become established. They differ mainly in size. The deeply lobed and toothed basal leaves of Astrantia major form a rosette 18 inches in diameter while those of Astrantia carniolica form a rosette only 9 to 12 inches in diameter at maturity. Each plant sends up several stalks and each of them branches near the top with each cluster holding 2 or 3 flowers. The flowers of Astrantia major are surrounded by a collar of bracts which lend a strawflower-like effect. They are usually 18 inches high and vary in color from the greenish-white of the species to the rosy pink of A.major ‘Rose Symphony’ to the dark red of A.m. ‘Lars’. A.m. ‘Shaggy’ (also known as ‘Margery Fish’) has flowers with an extra long collar of pink bracts. Those of A.carniolica are only 6 to 8 inches high. The only cultivar
8 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association
of this species is ‘Rubra’ which is also dark red. Both species seed prolifically, particularly in moist areas. Allan Armitage says that there is quite a bit of variation in the seedlings but all of mine have come true so far. I do find that A. major seems to overwhelm A. carniolica if grown side by side. Ah well, live and learn. While a semi-shaded moist area is the most desirable habitat for Astrantia, I have grown it in both sun and part shade gardens that are irrigated on a regular basis. It performs very well in both. It will also do quite well in dry shade once established. Astrantia is also an excellent perennial for the cutting garden. The cut flowers will last in water for 10 to 14 days. They would probably also dry well if cut upon opening. The deadheads are continued on page 10 very attractive during the winter.
