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Herbaceous Perennial

Astrantia major 'Primadonna'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

masterwort 'Primadonna'

'Primadonna' is a herbaceous perennial with leaves palmately divided and stems bearing branching sprays of star-like posies of red-mauve flower clusters each with with a ruff of reddish purple bracts from May to the end of September.

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Red Green
Summer Purple Red Green
Autumn Purple Red
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 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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in moist well-drained soil in partial shade. Flowers longer than raditional varieties.

Propagation

Division

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover
Pruning

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

Pests

Slug and snail resistant

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews

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