Astrantia 'Star of Beauty'

Astrantia 'Star of Beauty': Silver-Edged Masterwort

Intricately detailed and effortlessly refined, Astrantia 'Star of Beauty' lives up to its name with striking star-shaped blooms of deep plum-purple surrounded by silvery white-tipped bracts. Blooming from early to late summer, these pincushion-like flowers are held aloft on wiry stems above clumps of palmate green foliage, attracting pollinators and adding subtle movement to shaded or partially sunny borders. Exceptionally long-lasting in both garden and vase, it brings a cottage-garden charm to every planting while tolerating a wide range of soils.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 50–60 cm
• Spread: 40–50 cm
• Flower Colour: Deep purple with silver-edged bracts
• Flowering Period: June to August (with repeat bloom)
• Foliage: Deep green, deeply lobed, palmate leaves
• Sunlight Requirements: Part sun to light shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil

Uses and Benefits: 'Star of Beauty' is perfect for part-shade borders, woodland edges, and cottage gardens, where its unique flower structure adds texture and contrast. It performs well in moisture-retentive soils, naturalizing slowly into attractive clumps. Its flowers are highly attractive to bees and hoverflies, and also make excellent cut flowers for fresh or dried arrangements.

Companion Plants: Pair Astrantia 'Star of Beauty' with Brunnera 'Jack Frost', Dryopteris 'Brilliance', and Heuchera 'Wild Rose' for a richly textured, pollinator-friendly combination that thrives in part-shade with consistent moisture.

Care Instructions: Plant in partial sun or dappled shade in consistently moist, rich soil. Water during dry spells to maintain bloom production. Deadheading will encourage repeat flowering, though many gardeners let the seedheads remain for their decorative value. Divide every few years in spring or early fall to maintain vigour.

History: Astrantia species are native to the woodlands and meadows of central and eastern Europe. 'Star of Beauty' is a cultivated selection admired for its dark central colour and high contrast bracts—traits that make it particularly striking in lower-light planting schemes.

Final Thoughts: With its intricately detailed blooms and quietly captivating presence, Astrantia 'Star of Beauty' offers elegance, pollinator appeal, and long-lasting performance in every shaded garden corner it graces.