Great Masterwort
Astrantia major
Also known as
Melancholy Gentleman
Astrantia major 01 by "pastilletes"/Joan Simon (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Full Sun
Easy care
Moderate watering
Tender
6a-10b
USDA zone
-23°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
60cm | Max | 50cm |
50cm | Min | 10cm |
2 years to reach maturity
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has no fragrance
More images of Great Masterwort
Great Masterwort Overview
Astrantia major is a herbaceous perennial also known by the name masterwort. It is widespread across Europe and was introduced to the British Isles in the 16th Century. Commonly found in mountain meadows, grasslands, forests & clearings and close to streams. It produces palmately-divided, 3-5 lobed, green leaves in the spring. These are followed by branching stems bearing small pale white-pinkish bracts surrounding white-green flowers. These appear in early to midsummer and are attractively veined. Suits planting in flower beds and borders in a cottage or informal garden setting.
Common problems with Great Masterwort
May be attacked by powdery mildews. Prone to slugs and aphids.
How to harvest Great Masterwort
Cut flower heads for flower arrangements throughout the summer or to collect seeds, allow the heads to ripen, cut and hang upside down in a paper bag to collect the expelled seeds. Seeds can be collected when ripe and starting to dry.
How to propagate Great Masterwort
Seed
Sow when ripe or seeds require 3 months of cold stratification prior to germination. Advisable to plant them outside in early autumn, about 10mm deep.
Division
Divide clumps in spring.
Special features of Great Masterwort
Attracts useful insects
Attracts hoverflies, which feed off aphids, and Trichogramma wasps, which help reduce caterpillar hatching.
Attractive flowers
Colour ranges from white, through pink and purple, to a deep red in some cultivars.
Other uses of Great Masterwort
Naturaliser, cutting bed, dried arrangements, borders, under shrubs. Summer interest.
Cut flower
Popular cut flower.