Astrantia is a member of the large Umbrella family.
The genus includes various species common in Europe and Asia. The bush is unpretentious in leaving, is able to feel normally in adverse conditions. Great for beginner gardeners, but when transplanting it, you need to consider several important features.
Description of astrantia flower
Astrantia has unbranched stems of a straight form with a height of not more than 1 meter. The leaves of the palmate-lobed type create a single basal rosette. Small flowers are formed, usually light shades. People call the bush an asterisk because of umbrella-shaped inflorescences that look like stars. The leaves of the wrapper are large bright green. The flowering period is in May and lasts until the fall. This time is enough for the development of the fetus, the two-seeded.
Astrantia belongs to honey plants, therefore it attracts bees very much. The plant is able to develop normally in adverse conditions, as it has high winter hardiness and resists negative factors.
A flower is planted in a few groups. It interacts well with neighboring plants, for example, geraniums, medunitsa, heichera, hosts. Astrantia for a long time retains freshness after cutting, so it is often used when creating bouquets.
In addition to attractive external qualities, the plant is distinguished by the simplicity of planting and care.
Types and varieties of astrantia
The plant is widespread in Europe and Western Asia. The cultivation of some varieties began in the 16th century.
Common types and varieties:
| View | Description | Grade | Description |
| Astrantia Major | It occurs in Ukraine, Moldova, in the Baltic countries and Belarus. The place of growth chooses the edges and lawns near coniferous forests. Does not exceed 70 cm. | Moulin rouge | It differs in red inflorescences, the leaves of the wrapper are much darker. If the bush grows on a site with plenty of sunlight, then the flowers become bright and large. |
| Ruby Wedding | It grows to a height of 65 cm, the flowers are painted in a dark red shade. The best condition for growth is a darkened area of the soil, near the trees. | ||
| Claret | Flowers and wrappers in burgundy color. The height of the plant does not exceed 55 cm. It blooms in mid-summer, and the fruits finish to form closer to the end of September. It is better to grow a flower in the shade, it is well cultivated in a container. | ||
| Diva | The highlight of the variety is considered to be dark red flowers with lighter wraps. The plant is about 70 cm tall. The variety feels great both in direct sunlight and in dark places. | ||
| Venice | A feature of this variety is a ruby shade of inflorescences. | ||
| Lars | It reaches a height of about 75 cm, has inflorescences of a saturated pink color. | ||
| Sunningdale Variegata | It differs in pale lavender inflorescences. | ||
| Rosea Symphony | Grows to 70 cm, has pink inflorescences and pale pink wrappers. | ||
| Rosea | Height not more than 60 cm, characterized by spotty leaf plates and bright pink inflorescences. | ||
| Snowstar | White color of flowers, white wrappers with characteristic greens. Does not exceed 70 cm. It is best developed in dark places. | ||
| Abby road | Red, the inflorescences have a purple hue, the wrappers are a few tones darker. | ||
| Astrantia Maxima (Largest) | It grows in the Caucasus. It reaches a height of about 70 cm, has a powerful and long root system. Three-part sheets. In diameter, simple umbellate inflorescences are 4.5 cm, include pink flowers. The leaves of the wrapper are pale red in color, their length is about 1 cm, have a filmy appearance. It blooms in August, but the beginning may be delayed until September. | ||
| Astrantia Carniolica (Carniol) | Perennial plant with palm-split plates. Inflorescences are composed of light flowers. The most common variety is rubra. It reaches 70 cm. Flowering occurs in late spring and ends after 3 months. | ||
Some gardeners cultivate Bavarian, three-notched, hellebore species, as well as varieties of large astrantia - Bieberstein and Alba. Between themselves, they differ in the shade of flowers, height, flowering period and place of territorial localization.
Astrantia cultivation from seeds
Growing astrantia from seeds is more difficult than using the vegetative method, but it is much more economical. The main thing is to consider several important features on which the further development and growth rate will depend. First of all, you need to familiarize yourself with the nuances of sowing, and then proceed to growing seedlings.
Sowing astrantia seeds to the ground
One of the methods of propagation of astrance is self-sowing. It should be borne in mind that such seedlings have incomplete parental traits than propagation by cuttings.
Therefore, gardeners recommend using other methods for breeding shrubs. Freshly harvested seeds should be planted closer to winter, so that in the first months of spring shoots already appear.
Sowing astrantia seeds for seedlings
It is best to plant astrantia through seedlings, in this case the seeds are sown in spring in special boxes.
For quality development, stratification should be ensured - the seeds from the autumn harvest are placed in the refrigerator in the vegetable section for 2-3 months. Before this, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the information indicated on the package. If the manufacturer noted the stratification, then this event can be abandoned.
Sowing seeds produced in the prepared soil, it should be light and not have special components.
They are distributed over the surface of the soil, a thin layer is laid on top of the substrate. The boxes are covered with film or glass, and then placed in a place with moderate humidity and a constant temperature of +22 ° C. When the first seedlings appear, you need to get rid of the shelter.
Astrantia seedling care
With the further development of seedlings, the boxes should be placed in a lit room. Thin seedlings need 7-14 days. Small plants should be watered periodically when the topsoil dries, the substrate should be loosened regularly. When airing, care must be taken to protect the landing from drafts.
Landing astrantia in open ground
The health and quality of future plants depends on the quality of planting in open prepared soil. Therefore, this process must be approached as responsibly and carefully as possible.
It is supposed to study the features of astrantia landing. Even a novice gardener can cope with the task, since the shrub is not picky about environmental conditions and can grow in almost any soil.
When to plant
It is recommended to plant seedlings in late spring or early summer. Having previously become familiar with the characteristics of the variety, since for some plants a sunny place is more suitable, and for others it is darkened. The soil should be loose and fertile, but there are no special requirements for the chemical composition.
How to plant
Seedlings placed at a distance of 35 cm from each other. The pit must be made so that the plant is at the same depth as at the stage of growing seedlings. Around the bushes you need to compact the soil and water it abundantly. After 3 years on astrantia, you can notice the first flowers.
Astrantia care in the garden
With normal rainfall, special care is not required. During the period of drought, the plant should be watered once a week, which will allow to obtain a single flowering. If you keep the soil moist throughout the growing season, the shrub will bloom again. Immediately after watering or raining around the plant, loosen the topsoil and remove weeds. To save time, mulch the area with peat or humus.
To prolong flowering and reduce the likelihood of self-seeding, wilted inflorescences must be removed. After the first cut off all the peduncles, this will be additional stimulation for the formation of arrows, in addition, this measure allows you to create a symmetrical and dense bush.
Feeding should be carried out in the first months of spring. Enrich the poor soil once every three years with phosphorus-potassium fertilizer in July or August. Add substances in liquid form.
Astrantia bush propagation
The most popular breeding astrantia division of the bush. It is made in the spring (before active growth) or in the fall (at retirement). The overgrown flower is divided into several parts, planted at a distance of 40-50 cm, adding humus to each well. New plants will begin to bloom in 3 years. This method is used to preserve the varietal characteristics of the plant.
Pests and astrantia diseases
Astrantia's protective functions are sufficient for sustainable resistance to dangerous diseases and pests. A negative effect on the bush can have an extremely incorrect content. For example, due to frequent watering, fungal lesions may appear, which fungicides can eliminate - Quadris, Fundazole, phytosporin, Bravo.
Astrantia in the landscape
Due to the unique visual qualities of the plant, designers like to use it. Astrantia is suitable for creating flower beds and decorative design of shady corners of the garden, for example, near trees and other bushes.
Low-growing varieties are used for rock gardens and pool decorations.
The original appearance has a flower bed, composed of several types of stars. Modest bushes of the plant lead to the effect of weightlessness and lightness: next to the sprawling leaves of astrantia there are flowers of red, white, pink hue.
Astrantia is a perennial green plant with unusual flowers. It is able to grow in the most severe conditions and is very unpretentious in care, so it becomes the choice of beginner gardeners. As neighbors near the bushes, you can place roses with large flowers or lilies. Such a combination will create a general concept that will not only look attractive, but also smell good.
