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Herbaceous Perennial

Astrantia major 'Alba'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

masterwort 'Alba'

A herbaceous perennial with leaves palmately divided and stems bearing branching umbels of small neat pale greenish white pincushion flowers with a ruff of greenish bracts in summer

Synonyms
Astrantia major alba

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green White Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Apiaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming, Columnar upright
Genus

Astrantia are clump-forming herbaceous perennials with palmately lobed basal leaves and branched, erect, wiry stems bearing compact umbels of tiny flowers surrounded by a rosette of showy bracts

Name status

Not established

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in moist fertile humus-rich soil. Sun will improve the foliage colour.

Propagation

Propagate by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Gravel garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Cut back after flowering for fresh new foliage and second flowering. Deadhead before seed ripens to prevent self-seeding

Pests

This plant is resistant to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildew

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