Common Name: greater masterwort
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Apiaceae
Zone: 4 to 7
Height: 1.50 to 2.50 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: June to September
Bloom Description: Greenish white
Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Naturalize
Flower: Showy, Good Cut, Good Dried
Tolerate: Wet Soil
Noteworthy Characteristics
Astrantia, commonly called masterwort or great masterwort, is an umbelliferous, stoloniferous, clump-forming perennial which typically grows 2-3' tall. Flower is a domed umbel of greenish-white or pink florets subtended by a showy ruff of papery, petal-like, greenish or pinkish tinged involucral bracts which extend beyond the flower. Medium green leaves are palmately cut into 3-7 (usually 5) toothed lobes. Leaves appear primarily in basal clumps, with smaller versions on the stems. Long late spring to early summer bloom. Bracts usually remain attractive well after bloom.
Genus name comes from a Greek word astron meaning star in reference to the flower head shape or from magistrantia (derived from the Latin word magister meaning master or teacher).
'Superstar' has small white and green flowers that form a large pincushion surrounded by a stiff ruff of white bracts tinged with green. It has wiry stems and palmately cut, dark green toothed leaves. The flowers may be dried for use in arrangements or left on the plant to provide interest during autumn. It grows 1.5 to 2.5 ft. tall and 1 to 2 ft. wide. Synonymous with 'White Giant'.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Slugs are occasional visitors.
Uses
Part shade areas of perennial borders, open woodlands, path edges, stream/pond margins or wild/cottage gardens. Performs well in moist sun-dappled areas below open trees. Excellent for dried flower arrangements.