Astrantia
Astrantia Major Seeds - Tiny pearly coloured flowers which are surrounded by papery bracts in lush shades of pale pink and green.
Astrantia Major
Approx 15 seeds
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Tiny pearly coloured flowers which are surrounded by papery bracts in lush shades of pale pink and green. Astrantia will happily flower all summer long through to autumn. Deadheading highly recommended (if you aren't cutting it for flowers) to encourage more blooms. A fabulous cut flower, lasting forever in the vase or can even be dried.
Like all perennials she’s a pain in the… to germinate, but worth the trouble. Astrantia loves it sunny, but prefers wet feet, so keep the roots moist.
How to make these beauties grow
Sow: Anytime or sow in Autumn for natural germination.
How: Surface sow and cover lightly with vermiculite. Keep warm for 4 weeks then cold stratify for 12 weeks. Autumn sown seeds – leave outside (do not allow to dry out) and let mother nature take her course.
Space: 30cm
Height: 60cm
Where: Sun - but keep the roots moist
Days to Maturity: Upto 365 days
Pick: When the flowers are fully open. Can be dried.
Perennial
Notes from the garden
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Germination is slooooooooooooooooow. Astrantia requires a long cool period for germination to occur (cold stratify for 12 weeks if not autumn sown) Be patient, do not discard sown seed trays hastily.
I confess, I have only sucessfully germianted a few seeds of Astrantia, but hey, once you have 1 plant you can keep dividing.
Divide clumps every few years.
Image: Barrhill Blooms