Astrantia major commonly known as (Great Masterwort) has to be one of the most admired plants in the Lakeside garden, it catches the eye and is the focus of encapsulating undivided attention on every garden tour I undertake.

I was struck by this perennial during my days as an Undergardener for the National Trust – 2001- 3. I’ve learned this plant is a great waterside perennial and will flourish well in moist semi-shaded spots, and its morphology allows it to mingle and mix well with other perennials, gauging the maximum height of approximately 90cm in 2- 5 years, and how you may wish to creatively incorporate this plant into your planting scheme with other perennials.

Astrantia prefers a fertile, humus-rich loamy moist soil, that retains moisture, but also drains well. Because of these conditions, I’m keen to introduce this perennial into the semi-wooded area at the Lakeside garden. 

This eye-catching perennial from central and eastern Europe simply flourishes at the Lakeside Garden. I can’t stress enough the drawing of comparisons of spending just over 10 years as Head Gardener in the Cotswolds, to gardening for the last 7 and a half years in the South Lake District.

 In particular, gardening at the Lakeside garden, literally right on the Lakeside edge of Windermere, is equivalent to the microclimate within a walled garden, putting aside,  the harshness that any winter may throw at you. Any harsh winter weather with dipping temperatures, full-on exposure to the Lake, coupled with a cool to warm spring, and even a colder start to summer, the perennials seem to flourish!

Plant selection in terms of the flowering period, height, and morphology, has to be very selective when gardening right on the Lakeside edge for long-season continuity of colour and structure. It’s all trial and error, and I’ve learned some harsh lessons,  particularly on the bedding scheme displays! 

Astrantia major also keeps self-seeding at a successful rate! There’s no holding it back. How I choose to  restructure the planting scheme each autumn with seasonal division is based upon the proliferation of this perennial, (visualising the months ahead ! ) 

We’re fortunate enough to have a beautiful blend mix of Astrantia major, and Astrantia Buckland Pink, when grown together,  the result is stunning! The white and pink papery bracts really draw the eye towards the colour combination. Dusky reds, pinks, whites, and greens are other forms of this visually interesting perennial.

The perianth of Astrantia species are also a great source of pollen for attracting bees and butterflies.

I really want to get cracking this autumn on a seed collection/ sowing project for the 2025 growing season of Astrantia major, certainly collecting any seed will be a challenge, selecting a sunny dry day when the seed capsules are dry, change colour and open, seeds collected direct into an envelope, or the less challenging task of cutting the stems with the dried heads. 

I will, however, be sourcing seed from a reputable seed company, and endeavouring to widen the cultivar selection.  

Here’s my plan on the regime for seed sowing of Astrantia species- 

* Collected seed/seed sourced from a supplier in early autumn.

* Sow into John Innes seed compost, modular trays, and leave in unheated glasshouse for approximately 6 weeks at the most.

* Move trays into the cold frame for a longer cold stratification period.

* Assess germination rate, and move back to the glasshouse environment over winter. I’m working in a cool unheated glasshouse. If the temperature dips below 10 centigrade, I will protect any growth with fleece, otherwise leave the seedlings exposed. 

* Grow on seedlings /plants during the spring for planting out early summer,  I envisage flowering the following year. 

Readers will be aware all my blogs/ articles are based on Hands On Experience! 

I’m very familiar with cultivating Astrantia species, this seed experiment will be based on trial and error,  as is the starting point with all the more taxing genus! 

Some interesting research tells me from Graham Rice ( Garden Writer ) reference, Garden Flowers From Seed: Christopher Lloyd and Graham Rice, 1991. It is mentioned that available plants seem to be seedlings of uncertain parentage. At that time the degree of variation could be seen at East Lambrook Manor, Somerset, the garden created by the Late Margery Fish 1892 – 1969, they had self-sown prolifically until they were kept firmly in order by the next owner!

Kevin Line has been a member of HPS for 11 years and worked as a professional Horticulturist for 44 years. Kevin is Head Gardener / Plantsman at the Lakeside Hotel Garden Cumbria and also writes for the industry magazine & website, Hort Week, International Lilac Society ( USA) RHS, Plant Review Journal.  Kevin is also a member of the Professional Gardeners’ Guild.