shade
Astrantia
Astrantia major
Looking for some unusual flowers to add zip to your garden? Try astrantia. The blooms last a long time in the garden or in a vase. You can even dry them to enjoy through the winter. Clusters of the round-topped flowers you see in the photos at left start to bloom in early summer and, with regular deadheading, can keep going into fall. (What other perennials bloom for a long time? See “More Long Bloomers” at right.) Each flower is surrounded by a colorful papery bract, often in a lighter or green color. For the best color and longest-lasting flowers, cut them when the uppermost buds begin to open. To dry the flowers, hang small bunches upside down in a cool, dark, dry room with good air circulation.
Plant astrantia near the front of the border, and bunch plants together to make an impact — its small flowers are only 1½ inches across.
Beneath the flowers, astrantia sports a low rosette of deeply divided green leaves. The margins of ‘Sunningdale Variegated’ are unevenly splashed with a warm creamy yellow — ahybrids). The contrasting flowers and leaves make a wonderful combination and they all share the same cultural needs.
