Astrantia Ruby Star

Description

Astrantia ‘Ruby Star’ – masterwort

Botanical name: Astrantia ‘Ruby Star’
Common names: Masterwort
Family: Apiaceae (carrot family)
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Habit: Clump-forming
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 50–60cm tall × 45cm spread
Foliage: Deeply lobed, divided green leaves in a neat clump; deciduous
Flowers: Deep ruby-red pincushion flowers surrounded by rich red bracts, over a long season from early summer (June–September)
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist, fertile, humus-rich; dislikes drying out; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H7 (very hardy, below −20°C); USDA zones 4–7
Exposure: Sheltered or open
Native range: Garden form; the species is native to Europe
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Astrantia ‘Ruby Star’ is a striking masterwort with deep ruby-red pincushion flowers and rich red bracts over a long summer season. Bold and long-flowering, it is superb for cottage and shady borders and pollinators.

GardenAdvice notes

A charming, long-flowering cottage-garden perennial, masterwort (Astrantia) carries its intricate, jewel-like flowers over a long summer season — each a pincushion of tiny flowers surrounded by a delicate, papery ruff of bracts, like a tiny Elizabethan collar. Held on wiry stems above neat mounds of divided foliage, they are beautiful in the border and for cutting, thrive in sun or partial shade, and are a magnet for bees and other pollinators.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in moist, fertile, humus-rich soil in full sun to partial shade — it likes reliable moisture and dislikes drying out, and is happy in a little shade, making it excellent for a partly shaded border or woodland edge. Space about 40cm apart. Water in dry spells, and mulch to retain moisture.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance in moist soil. Deadhead to encourage repeat flowering, and cut the whole plant back after the first main flush to produce fresh foliage and often a second flush of flowers. Leave some seedheads if you want it to self-seed gently. Cut down old growth in late winter. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in spring, as growth begins.
• Seed: Species and some forms self-seed gently; sow fresh seed, though named forms are best divided.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free in moist soil. Powdery mildew can occur if it dries out. Slugs may occasionally graze new growth. Otherwise easy and reliable.

Uses in the garden

Superb in cottage, mixed and woodland-edge borders and partly shaded spots, where its long season of intricate flowers brings charm and works beautifully with roses, geraniums and grasses; excellent as a cut and dried flower.

Wildlife value

Masterwort is an excellent plant for pollinators: its nectar-rich flowers are very attractive to bees, hoverflies and other beneficial insects over a long season.

Toxicity & safety

Masterwort is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Ruby Star’ is one of the richest-coloured masterworts, its deep ruby-red flowers glowing in a border and lovely against silver or green foliage. For the longest display, deadhead and cut the plant back after the first flush to trigger fresh growth and more flowers, and keep it reliably moist — astrantias sulk and mildew if they dry out.

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