Astrantia 'Rubra'

Astrantia 'Rubra' is one of the most striking perennials you can grow. It forms neat clumps, to around 90cm high when mature, and has deeply lobed, toothed, dark green leaves. But it’s the heads of dark, pinkish white and plum-coloured pincushion-like flowers, surrounded by a ruff of rich crimson bracts, that are the real stars of the show. This red Astrantia is at its most colourful from early to late summer. Although it is an old cottage garden favourite, it works equally well in modern gardens, and on patios and terraces. Use it towards the front of a moist border — Astrantias do not like dry soil. They are happiest in dappled shade, but they perform almost as well in part-shade or even full sun!

Astrantia major 'Rubra' is a beautiful and extremely photogenic plant. It is also excellent for use as a cut flower plant, so for this reason we recommend you plant more than you need in your garden. Astrantias in general have been grown in Britain for nearly 500 years, and they have various common names, ranging from Masterwort and Hattie’s pincushion, to the curious Melancholy gentleman!