|
Astrantia
Hattie's Pincushion / Masterwort
APIACEAE / UMBELLIFERAE
Herbaceous
Perennials
|
 |
|
|
Astrantia. major var
'Buckland' |
Astrantia. major rosea |
|
The distinctively
delicate flower-heads that adorn these clump-forming herbaceous
perennials are in fact a central cluster of tiny true flowers surrounded
by an outer circle of papery bracts. During early to mid-summer, strong
stems rise above the mounds of foliage bearing blooms of white, pink or
red
|
| Varieties: -
|
|
|
|
|
|
Astrantia.
major
copyright Thompson & Morgan
|
Form: A
clump-forming perennial
Fully Hardy:
Hardiness rating:
4 5 6 7
Height: to 36in (1m)
Spread: 18in (45cm)
Foliage: A dense mass of divided, mid-green leaves
Flowers: In summer - autumn, producing silver
to rose cushions of flowers, surrounded by a stiff ruff of ray-like
bracts of a similar hue.
Situation: Sun or Partial Shade
Sowing
Instructions: Sow in trays, pots, etc of good seed compost in a
propagator or warm place to maintain an optimum temperature of 60-65oF
(15-18oC). Surface sow and do not exclude light. Sowing Time:
February to July. Germination can be slow. After sowing, seal container
in a polythene bag and leave at 60-65oF (15-18oC)
for 2 weeks, then place in a refrigerator (not freezer) for 3-6 weeks.
After this return to the recommended germination temperature. If
germination does not occur in 6-10 weeks return to the fridge for a
further 3-6 weeks. Examine regularly whilst in the fridge and remove
immediately the seeds show signs of germinating.
Growing
Instructions: Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 3in
(7.5cm) pots. Acclimatise young plants to outdoor conditions before
planting out 12in (30cm) apart in full sun or part shade. Prefers a
moist, well drained soil.
|
|
Astrantia.
major - hybrida
'Ruby Cloud'
copyright Thompson & Morgan
|
Form: A
clump-forming perennial
Fully Hardy:
Hardiness Rating: 5 6 7 8 9
Height: to 30in (75cm)
Spread: 18in (45cm)
Foliage: A dense mass of divided, mid-green leaves
Flowers:
In summer - autumn, producing thin upright stems, bearing large flowers of ruby, tinged in apple green.
Situation: Sun or Partial Shade and wonderful in the damp border.
Note: True from seed
Sowing
Instructions: Sow from February to July just covering the seed
with compost. Use good moist peat or coir based seed compost. Seal
inside a polythene bag, keep at 55-60oF (13-18oC) for 1 week, then place
in a refrigerator, at 35-41oF (3-5oC). Inspect regularly while in the
fridge and remove immediately if they start to germinate. After 6 weeks
return to warmth. Germination usually takes 30-80 days overall (at all
temperatures), but if germination does not occur in 6-10 weeks return to
fridge for a further 3-6 weeks.
Growing
Instructions: Transplant when large enough to handle into
3in (7.5cm) pots. Acclimatise young plants to outdoor conditions before
planting out 12in (30cm) apart in, moist, well drained soil, sun or part
shade.
|
|
Astrantia.
major
subspecies. involucrata
|
Syn: Astrantia.
major subspecies. carinthiaca
Form: A clump-forming perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 2ft (60cm)
Spread: 18in (45cm)
Foliage: A dense mass of divided, mid-green leaves
Flowers: Very similar to Astrantia. major above, but the flowers
have longer bracts surrounding the silver to rose flowers
|
|
Astrantia.
major
subspecies. involucrata
var 'Hadspen Blood'
|
Form: A
clump-forming perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 2ft (60cm)
Spread: 18in (45cm)
Foliage: A dense mass of divided, mid-green leaves
Flowers: In summer producing one of the darkest red flowers of all
Astrantia
|
|
Astrantia.
major
subspecies. involucrata
var 'Shaggy'
|
|
|
Astrantia.
major
subspecies. carinthiaca
|
See: Astrantia.
major subspecies. involucrata
|
|
|
Astrantia. maxima
|
Form: A clump
forming perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 24in (60cm)
Spread: 12in (30cm)
Foliage: Dense divided mid-green leaves
Flowers: During summer-autumn producing rose-pink flowerheads
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cultivation: -
Astrantia need a
well-drained, sunny or semi-shaded site if they are to give of their best.
|
|
Propagation: -
By division in spring;
or
Sow seed in late
summer when fresh |
|
Fully Hardy
Pests & Diseases: -
|
This page was last updated on
12/03/2005
| |