Astrantia major ‘Snow Star’
Astrantia major ‘Snow Star’ is indeed a garden star, with larger than normal, pure white ruffed flowers.
However when the blooms first open, they have green edged tips with a hint of strawberry pink in the pincushion centres. Then finally mature pure white.
Sparkles under trees & shrubs
Astrantias are valued for growing under trees and shrubs, or in gardens that are shaded for a good part of the day.
Where their clouds of starry pincushions make a great garden show for months.
Astrantia major ‘Snow Star’ really does sparkle in the shade and lights up gloomier areas.
Enchanting lacy Elizabethan ruffs
Each enchanting bloom looks like a little lacy, Elizabethan ruff.
But they come in such great masses, like a flock of flying Elizabethan ladies all wearing their starched ruffs. And blooms just keep coming from late spring, through summer, and on into autumn.
Adored by florists
Florists simply adore Astrantia for their long vase life; long strong clean stems; and dainty fine looks.
Because Astrantia flowers are actually bracts, and firm like an everlasting.
So, they are wonderfully long lasting and robust as garden display; last 7-10 days fresh in vases; or prized as dried flowers for bridal bouquets, posies, wreaths, pot-pourri and permanent arrangements.
Cut the stems on an angle, and clean off any foliage (Astrantia stems are largely clear anyway) to enhance their vase life.
Frost hardy plus slug & snail resistant
And best of all – Astrantia are slug and snail resistant, largely untroubled by any pests and diseases, and hardy in quite severe frost.
On the other hand, bees and other helpful pollinating insects make great use of the long procession of flowers.
GROWING: Astrantia major 'Snow Star’
Height with flowers: Airy branching heads of flowers on approx. 70-80cm. high stems. Foliage makes a rounded cushion to 30cm approx.
Width: Neat foliage clump to a diameter of approximately 30-50cm.
Position: Best in dappled sun & shade, morning sun with afternoon shade, or full shade with good light levels. An easterly aspect is perfect.
Soil: Very unfussy, providing the soil has compost or old leaves dug through to make it retentive.
Clay based soils that have been opened up with organic matter are very much to its liking.
Astrantia are not fussy about soil pH, so will make a go of it in acid or alkaline (lime based) soils.
And Astrantia can tolerate periods of being waterlogged. As well as tolerating sandy soil, if it has organic matter dug in and is well mulched. Astrantia greatly appreciates mulch.
Frost: Very frost hardy, even in hard frosts to at least -15C or lower, depending on conditions.
Growth: Hardy and long-lived perennial clump.
Astrantias will gently self-sow in their preferred position, but they are not invasive.
Beneficial for wildlife: The flowers provide nectar for bees, and are also visited by butterflies and moths.
Care & Maintenance: Extremely low maintenance if given their preferred conditions. An annual cut back of the spent flower stems after the long blooming season is all that is needed.
Fertilizer: Quality fertilizer, such as Powerfeed, can be applied in spring and autumn.
We recommend to water in with Seasol at planting.
Pests & Diseases: Rarely troubled by pests or diseases.
Deer & Rabbit resistant: Both rabbits and deer tend to ignore Astrantia, despite the lush appearance of their foliage.
Herbal & History
Herbal uses: Astrantia major was historically used as herbal medicine in Europe, particularly as an ingredient in teas to relieve migraine. The roots were also used to make purgative and laxative potions. However modern chemical analysis does not now recommend ingesting Astrantia.
History: The name Astrantia originates from the Latin word “astrum”, meaning “star”. No prizes for guessing why.
Origin: Astrantia grows in the wild in Central and Eastern Europe and Asia, where it thrives in shady meadows and woodland clearings.
Quarantine Restriction: Astrantia can be shipped to all states from Di’s Delightful Plants - one of Australia’s largest on-line nursery and mail order plant services.
Bulk Discount
If you buy 3-6 plants there will be a $0.50 discount per plant"
If you buy 7+ plants there will be a $1.00 discount per plant
Plants on Special are excluded
