Astrantia major 'Star of Magic'PBR (v)

RHS Plant Profile
masterwort 'Star of Magic'
masterwort 'Star of Magic' RHS / Joanna Kossak
Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial

'Star of Magic' is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial, 60-75cm high, with five-lobed, toothed, leaves, mid-green edged and splashed with cream, and sometimes tinged with pink, and umbels of dark pink flowers surrounded by dark pink bracts in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Apiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moisture-retentive but well-drained, preferably humus-rich, fertile soil in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring; propagation for resale is prohibited without a licence

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers

Pruning

No pruning required, but dead-head to encourage repeat flowering and, if seedlings are not wanted, dead-head before seed is ripe

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails, aphids and astrantia leaf miner

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews