Astrantia major 'Alba'
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
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| 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
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- 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
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildew
Get involved
The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.
