Astrantia 'Star of Billion'

Astrantia 'Star of Billion': Celestial Spark Masterwort

With a delicate yet showy presence, Astrantia 'Star of Billion' offers a galaxy of silvery-pink, pincushion-style blooms brushed with soft green tones. Each flower is surrounded by finely serrated bracts, giving it a star-like appearance that shimmers in part-shade borders from early summer through late summer. Held on strong, upright stems above tidy clumps of deeply lobed foliage, this masterwort adds refined texture and quiet brilliance to woodland edges and cottage-style plantings. Pollinators flock to its blooms, and its long-lasting flowers are equally suited for cutting or drying.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 60–70 cm
• Spread: 40–50 cm
• Flower Colour: Silvery-pink with pale green tones
• Flowering Period: June to August
• Foliage: Deep green, lobed, palmate leaves
• Sunlight Requirements: Part sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil

Uses and Benefits: 'Star of Billion' is a charming addition to woodland borders, moist shade gardens, and naturalistic plantings. Its airy structure softens the edges of paths and beds, while its flower form adds visual detail. Excellent for pollinator gardens, it also makes a standout cut flower in fresh or dried arrangements. Hardy and dependable, it’s particularly well-suited to cooler climates with consistent moisture.

Companion Plants: Combine Astrantia 'Star of Billion' with Brunnera 'Silver Heart', Dryopteris 'Victorian Lady Fern', and Heuchera 'Toffee Tart' for a graceful, layered composition full of texture, tone, and long-season interest in part-shade settings.

Care Instructions: Plant in part sun to part shade in moisture-retentive, rich soil. Keep well watered during dry spells, particularly in summer. Deadhead to encourage continued bloom or allow seedheads to dry for winter texture. Divide every few years in early spring or autumn to maintain health and shape.

History: A modern cultivar of European origin, 'Star of Billion' was bred for refined bloom colour and outstanding garden presence. It belongs to the family of Astrantia hybrids admired for their intricate flowers and performance in shaded, moist environments.

Final Thoughts: Like a constellation in bloom, Astrantia 'Star of Billion' adds luminosity and softness to shaded borders—an elegant perennial that shines quietly but brilliantly in every season it graces.