What hardiness zones is Astrantia major suitable for?

Astrantia major is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4, 5, 6, 7.

What are the sun requirements for Astrantia major?

Astrantia major requires Part Shade.

How much water does Astrantia major need?

Astrantia major has Medium water needs.

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Perennials

Astrantia major

Great Masterwort

Apiaceae

Central and eastern Europe, Caucasus

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitClumping

FoliageDeciduous

Height18-36 inches (45-90 cm)

Width18-24 inches (45-60 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 7

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

A clump-forming perennial reaching 18–36 inches (45–90 cm) tall with a spread of 18–24 inches (45–60 cm). Basal leaves are deeply palmately lobed, 3–5 inches (8–13 cm) across, with 5–7 toothed lobes, medium green. Stems branch in the upper portion, each terminating in a pincushion-like flower head approximately 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) across. Each head consists of a dome of tiny florets surrounded by a collar of papery, pointed bracts in white, greenish-white, or pink, often with darker veining. Flowers are intricate in structure and long-lasting when cut. Bloom occurs June through August; deadheading promptly after the first flush may encourage a second flush in late summer. Plants self-seed freely; seedlings of named cultivars may not come true to the parent. Grows best in cool, moist conditions; foliage deteriorates in hot, dry summers. Hardy in zones 4–7; may struggle in zone 8 heat.

Native Range

Native to central and eastern Europe, from the Alps and Carpathians through the Caucasus region, growing in moist meadows, open woodland margins, and stream sides at elevations from 1,600–6,500 feet (500–2,000 m).

Suggested Uses

Commonly planted in shade borders and woodland gardens at 18–24 inch (45–60 cm) spacing. Tolerates dry shade less well than many shade perennials; requires moisture. Cut flowers last 10–14 days in water. Self-seeding habit naturalizes plantings over time but requires management in formal settings.

How to Identify

Identified by deeply palmately lobed basal leaves with 5–7 pointed, toothed segments and distinctive pincushion flower heads 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) across. Each flower head has a ring of narrow, pointed papery bracts forming a collar below the dome of tiny florets. Bracts are typically white to greenish-white with green veins, or pink in named cultivars.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 3'

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

white

green

pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer

Blooms June through August in zones 4–7, with peak bloom in June and July. Deadheading immediately after the first flush may produce a second, lighter bloom in August–September. Individual flower heads last 3–4 weeks on the plant. In zones 8–9, bloom quality and duration are reduced by summer heat.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white, greenish-white, pink with darker veining

Foliage Description

medium green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclay

Drainage

moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial shade in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5–7.0. In cooler climates (zones 4–6), tolerates full sun if soil remains consistently moist. Foliage scorches and plants decline in hot, dry summers without supplemental water. Mulch 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) deep to conserve moisture. Deadhead promptly after the first bloom flush to reduce self-seeding and encourage reblooming. Divide every 3–4 years in spring to maintain vigor. Self-sown seedlings appear reliably but may not match parent cultivar characteristics.

Pruning

Deadhead spent flower heads immediately after bloom to reduce prolific self-seeding and encourage a second flush. Cut all stems to ground level in late fall after frost or in early spring. Remove seedlings that arise in unwanted locations; they establish quickly. Divide in early spring every 3–4 years.

Pruning Schedule

summerfall

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic