Astrantia 'Star of Billion'

Astrantia 'Star of Billion': A Galaxy of Green-Tipped White Stars

One star is nice. A BILLION IS A BUSINESS PLAN. This masterwort cranks out white pincushions in green-tipped collars like it's trying to hit quarterly targets before the bees clock out.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Astrantia major 'Star of Billion'
• Common Name: Masterwort
• Height: 55–65 cm (22–26 in)
• Spread: 45–60 cm (18–24 in)
• Flowers: White pincushion flowers in a collar of white, green-tipped bracts
• Bloom Time: Early to late summer (June to August)
• Foliage: Deep green, deeply lobed leaves
• Features: Very free-flowering, excellent fresh or dried cut flower
• Plant Patent: USPP 20,352

Where to Plant: White flowers brighten the edge of a woodland bed, a part-shade border or a moon garden you enjoy in the evening. Plant several together for a cloud of small stars. Grow extras for cutting, since the flowers dry well.

Companion Plants: Iris 'Caesar's Brother' adds upright, sword-like leaves and violet flowers in May and June, a strong contrast to the white pincushions. Anemone 'Curtain Call Deep Rose' picks up in August and September with rose flowers at 36 to 46 cm. Geranium 'Cambridge' fills the front with magenta flowers from May to July. Give them sun to part sun and they will keep the border busy all season.

Plant Care: Plant it in rich, moist, well-drained soil. It takes full sun where the soil stays moist. In hotter or drier spots, give it shade in the afternoon. Water regularly in the first season and during dry spells. Deadhead to keep it flowering and to cut down on seedlings. If it looks ragged after the main flush, shear it back for fresh leaves. Cut it down in late fall or early spring, and divide every few years in spring.

History: 'Star of Billion' was bred by Jacobus de Jong in Woubrugge, the Netherlands, from an open-pollinated Astrantia major seedling first selected in 2004, and was patented in 2009. The species is native to the mountain meadows and woodland edges of central and eastern Europe.

Final Thoughts: Plant three and you'll have bouquets for every room, every friend and every apology. IT'S BASICALLY A FLOWER PRINTER.