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Astrantia major ‘Roma’ (Great Masterwort)

Masterwort 'Roma', Great Masterwort 'Roma', Melancoly Gentleman 'Roma', Hattie's Pincushion 'Roma'

AGM Award
Astrantia Major 'Roma', Masterwort 'Roma', Great Masterwort 'Roma', Melancoly Gentleman 'Roma', Hattie's Pincushion 'Roma', summer perennial, pink flowers
Astrantia, Astrantia major, Astrantia maxima, Masterwort, Great Masterwort, Melancoly Gentleman, Hattie's Pincushion, Largest masterwort

So exquisite and delicate, Astrantia major ‘Roma’ never fails to amaze onlookers! How to resist the intricate beauty of its blossoms: tiny pink flowers crowded together in a dome-shaped flowerhead, just like pins on a cushion, and surrounded by an elegant ruff of papery bracts. They are borne on long wiry stems, well above the rosette of attractive deep green maplelike leaves. The flower color is a subtle combination of soft pink, green and white.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Blooms for weeks from late spring to early summer, and sporadically throughout the summer where conditions are to its liking.
  • Spreading slowly from the rootstock, it has a neat habit and grows up to 18-24 in. tall (45-60 cm) in a clump of deeply divided leaves.
  • Thrives in full sun or part shade in rich, medium to wet, well-drained soils. Soils need to be kept consistently moist. Best performance occurs in cool summer climates as Astrantias do not like very hot, humid, or dry conditions.
  • A vital ingredient of herbaceous borders, cottage gardens, and woodlands. Great weavers, Astrantias mix well with other plants and associate beautifully with Ornamental Grasses, Sedums, and many other perennials. Plant them in drifts or at the border front of mixed borders where their attractive blooms can be appreciated. This plant is also valued for the excellent quality of its cut flowers, whether in bouquets or dried floral arrangements.
  • Easy to grow, deer-resistant, disease, and pest-free, and wet soil tolerant, Astrantia is a perennial plant that is rich in many qualities aside from its good looks!
  • Easily grown from seeds sown fresh. Deadheading will prolong flowering and prevent self-seeding. Astrantias do spread a little but can easily be held back. Dividing clumps help maintain vigor.
  • Propagate by division in spring

Astrantias belong to the Apiaceae family and have been valued for centuries for their long blooming season, their delicate presence, and intriguing flowers. Native to the woods and meadows of Asia and Europe, they grow easily in most gardens. Favored by gardeners and widely used in flower arrangements by florists, the genus includes 8 or 9 species, Astrantia major being the most popular with greenish pink to purple-red flowers surrounded by white to pinkish-white bracts and reaching 12-36 in. (30-90 cm).

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 7
Heat Zones 1 - 7
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Apiaceae
Genus Astrantia
Common names Masterwort
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" - 18"
(30cm - 50cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Astrantia major ‘Abbey Road’ (Great Masterwort)
Astrantia major var. rosea (Great Masterwort)
Astrantia major ‘Star of Beauty’ (Great Masterwort)
Astrantia major ‘Alba’ (Great Masterwort)
Astrantia major ‘Penny’s Pink’ (Great Masterwort)
Astrantia major ‘Gill Richardson’ (Great Masterwort)

Recommended Companion Plants

Aquilegia chrysantha ‘Yellow Queen’ (Golden Columbine)
Salvia x sylvestris ‘Tanzerin’ (Wood Sage)
Geranium pratense ‘Double Jewel’ (Cranesbill)
Carex elata ‘Aurea’ (Bowles’ Golden Sedge)
Centranthus ruber (Red Valerian)
Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ (Ornamental Onion)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

A Fabulous Plant Combination for Moist Soils and Shady Gardens
A Serene and Elegant Border Idea for your Garden
A Romantic Spring Garden Idea with Peonies, Irises and Flower Bulbs
A Fabulous Perennial Planting Idea
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 7
Heat Zones 1 - 7
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Apiaceae
Genus Astrantia
Common names Masterwort
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" - 18"
(30cm - 50cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage
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Do I Need?
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Astrantia
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