Astrantia Major

Description

Astrantia is a clump-forming perennial plant that belongs to the Apiaceae family, produces unique flowers in color and unusual in shape because its flowers appear as compound umbels that are surrounded by papery bracts. Astrantia starts to bloom in late spring and blooms repeatedly through summer and even into fall attracting butterflies and bees.

Sowing: indoor into moist well-drained seed compost at 18-24°C for 2-4 weeks. Then cold stratify. Move to -4-+4°C for 4-6 weeks and then return to warmth, 18°C. Germination should occur. If it does not repeat the process. Germination can take many months. Once the germination moves to a warm place. Transplant seedlings once large enough to handle 8cm pots. Grow on at 7°C. Acclimatize for 10-15 days and plant out. Can be sown into pots in late autumn and left outside over winter for spring germination. Prefers moist, fertile humus-rich soil in full sun or dappled shade. Water well in dry periods.