Astrantia: varieties and species, photo with name, winter hardiness, Venice, Roma, Sparkling Stars Pink, Pink Symphony, Carniolan Rubra, Alba, Pink Joyce

Astrantia is a herbaceous, beautifully flowering plant from the Apiaceae family. Another name is Zvezdovka. Distributed throughout Europe and the Caucasus. Varieties and types of astrantia with the name are presented below.

Description of the astrantia flower and characteristics

Astrantia is a perennial flower actively used by gardeners as an ornamental.

It is assumed that the plant received its name due to the shape of the inflorescences, reminiscent of stars.

The average height of the bush is 60 cm. The shoots are erect, branched at the base, and have few branches. The rhizome is brown, creeping, and is located close to the surface. The leaves are arranged in a circle, they are palmately lobed or palmately divided, consisting of 3-7 lanceolate segments with jagged edges. The leaf plates are collected in basal rosettes.The leaf petioles are thin and long.

During the flowering period, weakly leafy peduncles are formed, on the tops of which simple umbrella inflorescences resembling stars are formed. They consist of many small white, pink, lilac or ruby flowers with pointed narrow bracts - involucres. The leaves are bright green. In the middle of the inflorescences are buds of different sexes.

Flowering is long - from May to early autumn. After flowering, a fruit is formed - a two-seeded oblong capsule.

The plant is used to create borders, planted in the center of lawns, in ridges, in flower beds, and in mixed borders. The openwork inflorescences of astrantia look harmonious against the backdrop of bright green foliage. They resemble stars or fireworks lights. The plant is versatile and goes well with many garden flowers.

Advice! It is recommended to plant the flower next to hostas, lungwort, geranium, heuchera, and astilbe.

Thanks to its medium-sized flowers and compact bushes, the star is an excellent addition to any flower beds.

The variety of colors allows you to combine it with large flowers, and in this case the contrast will be a very good solution.

The plant is used by florists to create bouquets. Astrantia can be either their basis or a complement to other flowers. It looks especially impressive in purple compositions, creating the impression of lightness due to the shape of the flowers and their shades. The plant is suitable for cutting and for creating dry bouquets.

Astrantia is an unpretentious plant that is resistant to drought and cold. It grows well in garden soil and does not require any special conditions. It takes root well both in the shade and in a sunny meadow.

Important! The flower feels fine without water, but if you water it, it will bloom more luxuriantly.

In the middle zone, astrantia blooms in open ground from mid-June. If you remove faded stems in a timely manner, it can bloom again at the end of summer and continue to delight until late autumn. Flowers of the second wave are usually less lush.

Young specimens develop very quickly. Astrantia does not require frequent transplants and grows in one place for up to 7 years.

The flower is a honey plant that attracts bees

Winter hardiness of astrantia

Astrantia is a winter-hardy species, so in the middle zone of the country it can winter without shelter. At the end of autumn, the bushes need to be trimmed, leaving only stumps. Then sprinkle with humus or peat. Young plants may suffer from frost, so they need to be mulched and then covered with spruce branches.

According to experienced gardeners, astrantia usually does not fail and withstands cold weather without insulation.

Types of astrantia

The genus Astrantia is represented by several species - there are about 10 of them. In addition, thanks to breeders, many varieties of different colors have been developed - from white to dark purple. The centers can be the same color as the flower or a contrasting shade.

Some varieties are distinguished by variegated leaves, which makes the plant decorative even without flowering. You can usually see pronounced white or yellow stripes along the edges.

Astrantia differ in height. Compact dwarf varieties grow up to only 15 cm, tall ones can reach 90 cm.

Astrantia large

Another name for this perennial is astrantia major.

Under natural conditions, it is found in the Baltic countries and Central Europe, in Moldova, Belarus, Ukraine, and in the west of the European part of the Russian Federation. Grows on forest edges and lawns.

The bush is spreading, reaches a height of 70 cm, and a diameter of approximately 40 cm.Simple umbrella inflorescences, consisting of small light pink flowers, reach a diameter of 5 cm. The involucre leaves are green or pinkish. The basal rosette consists of long-petioled 3-7 palmately divided leaves.

The popular varieties of Astrantia major include many varieties.

Ruby Wedding

The bush is quite large, growing up to 60-80 cm in height. The flowers are dark cherry, the leaves are ornamental, dark green. Astrantia Ruby Wedding prefers shaded areas. Blooms profusely starting in June. The green leaf blades contrast well with the brownish-burgundy flower heads.

Description of Astrantia Moulin Rouge

The variety has low-branched straight stems 50 cm high. Palm-shaped green leaves collected in a basal rosette are on long petioles. The plant is distinguished by wine-red inflorescences with a diameter of 4-5 cm and dark, almost black involucre leaves. Specimens grown in sunny areas have more showy flowers. Astrantia Moulin Rouge begins to bloom at the end of June and ends in August.

Specimens grown in sunny areas have more spectacular flowers

Diva

The flower is tall - grows up to 60-70 cm. The shoots are thin, slightly branched, the leaves are bright green. The inflorescences reach a diameter of 4 cm. It can grow both in the sun and in shaded places. Astrantia Primadonna blooms throughout the summer.

Distinguished by large burgundy or pink inflorescences

Roma

The height of the plant reaches 45-60 cm. The flowering is long and lush. Large inflorescences consist of delicate pink flowers. Astrantia Roma is well suited for creating garden compositions, for cutting and arranging winter bouquets.

Segmented large green leaves highlight the beauty of exquisite umbrellas

Description of Astrantia Claret

The height of the bush reaches 60 cm. Astrantia Claret is one of the darkest varieties with red flowers. The inflorescences are burgundy or wine-red, the wrapper is transparent, of the same color. Peduncles purple-black. The leaves are narrow, bright green, young ones have a thin purple border along a serrated edge. Flowering time is from late June to October. This burgundy astrantia is suitable for growing in containers and flowerpots, as well as for creating bouquets.

Claret prefers shade and partial shade

Lars

The plant reaches a height of 60 cm. The inflorescences are pink, the leaves are light green. Blooms in June and July.

Lars is good for cutting and creating bouquets

Hadspen Blood

Astrantia Hadspen Blood features bright maroon or purple inflorescences. The bush is compact - up to 30-35 cm in height, and retains this size even in adulthood. It has long and lush flowering. Begins to bloom earlier than other varieties. Good for cutting.

Hadspen Blood's flowers are large, surrounded by wide bracts with an attractive vein.

Description of Astrantia Rosea

The bush grows up to 60-70 cm. The flower has spotted leaves, pastel pink simple inflorescences 5-7 cm in size, consisting of very small flowers, a reddish membranous involucre. Leaves are sparse, palmately dissected. Used both in group and single plantings, easy to combine with asters, hostas, lungworts, and bells. Suitable for creating bouquets. Flowering time is from mid-June to mid-September.

Rosea bush grows quickly, but is quite compact

Alba

Flowering is abundant and long - from June to October. Astrantia Alba reaches a height of 60-75 cm. The shoots are almost leafless. The flowers are white-green, hemispherical in shape, and look great against the background of dark green foliage.The center is raised, surrounded by sharp bracts. The plant is unpretentious, takes root well in any soil, does not need fertilizer, does not require light, and grows in one place for a long time. It blooms longer in partial shade than in the sun. Watering is moderate due to the small number of leaves. Can do without moisture and is not afraid of drought. Below in the photo is Astrantia white Alba.

Alba is a tall variety with large inflorescences and leaf blades of an original shape

Buckland

Astrantia Buckland begins to bloom in June. It has a long flowering time and blooms again after pruning the shoots. The bushes are spreading, height – 70 cm, width – 35-40 cm. The flowers are light pink, 3.5-5 cm in diameter, the wrapper is green or pale pink.

The plant retains its decorative qualities throughout the season.

Ruby Cloud

The height of the bushes reaches 70 cm. The inflorescences are very bright, reddish-burgundy. The flowering buds are darker and the ends of the bracts usually remain green. Below in the photo is a Ruby Cloud astrantia.

Ruby Cloud blooms all summer

Sunningdale Variegata

Leaf blades are the main decoration of Astrantia Sunningdale Variegated. They are large, green, with yellowish and cream spots. The inflorescences are delicate, pale lavender. Astrantia Variegata grows up to 60 cm. Flowering time is the summer months. The leaves of variegated astrantia are clearly visible in the photo.

Sunningdale Variegata decorates the garden even without flowering

Pink Symphony

The bush grows up to 70 cm in height and up to 35-40 cm in diameter. This variety has rose-red flowers and pale pink wrappers. The inflorescences are dense, 3.5-5 cm in diameter. The basal leaves are palmately divided and are on long petioles. Astrantia Pink Symphony is suitable for winter bouquets and for cutting.

The flower is grown on lawns and mixborders in single and group plantings

Venice

Astrantia Venice is a spreading bush with bright wine-ruby flowers and dense perianths resembling a basket. The plant reaches 40 cm in width and 50-60 cm in height. The flower blooms profusely, suitable for summer cutting and winter bouquets. Astrantia Venice prefers garden areas with sufficient moisture.

Venice inflorescences, consisting of numerous small pin-like flowers, do not fade or lose their shape

Pink Pride

This flower is distinguished by bright pink inflorescences and palmate-lobed leaves. The bush reaches a height of 60 cm. It begins to bloom in June. Loves sunny places or partial shade.

This variety retains its decorative properties after flowering has ended due to the color retention of the involucre leaves.

Abbey Road

A plant with pink-lilac flowers and pink-purple bracts. The wrapper leaves are darker in color. The leaf blades are palmate-lobed, dark green. The height of the bush is 60-70 cm. Flowering time is from June to August. Prefers sun or partial shade and well-drained, moist soils.

Suitable for growing in pots, for cutting and creating dry winter bouquets

Snow Star

A lush, neat bush, densely covered with unusual flowers, looks good on the shore of a pond and in rock gardens, suitable for group and single plantings. Plant height is from 30 to 60 cm. The inflorescences are white, similar to fluffy umbrellas, the perianths are pointed, silvery-white, with greenish tips. Astrantia Snowstar blooms from June to September, maintaining its attractiveness for a long time.

Snow Star is popular not only among landscape designers, but also among florists

Shaggy

It can reach a height of 80 cm. Flowering time is from June to August.Astrantia Shaggy is distinguished by openwork carved leaves on long petioles and large white inflorescences with greenish patterns. Prefers loose, fertile soils and tolerates drought and cold well. After removing faded shoots, it may bloom a second time. The flower is suitable for growing on lawns in single or group plantings. Astrantia Shaggy looks good in compositions with stones.

Shaggy's leaves are large and have a decorative appearance.

Sparkling Stars Pink

Astrantia Sparkling Stars Pink blooms from June to August. The bush grows up to 70 cm in height and 40 cm in width. Prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Astrantia Sparkling Stars Pink is well suited for dried flowers and for cutting.

Sparkling Stars Pink inflorescences are pink, large - up to 5 cm in diameter.

Pink Joyce

Astrantia Pink Joyce has bright pink flowers. The bush grows up to 60 cm in height. Blooms from June to August. Prefers sunny or partial shade, as well as well-drained, moist soil.

The plant is suitable for creating borders and for decorating a garden plot in a natural style.

Red Joyce

Astrantia Red Joyce reaches a height of 55 cm and a width of 45 cm. Flowering time is from June to August. The leaves are bright green and have hints of red in the spring. Astrantia Red Joyce is an ideal plant for cutting and growing in containers. The photo shows red astrantia Red Joyce.

Red Joyce flowers and bracts are dark red, shiny

Billion Star

The Billion Star astrantia bush grows up to 50-100 cm in height and 40-60 cm in width. Palmately dissected leaves are located on long petioles.

The flowers are cream, 3.5 cm in diameter, white bracts with green tips.

Purple Joyce

The bushes are dense, grow quickly, reaching a height of 60 cm. It blooms all summer - from June to September. According to reviews, Astrantia Purple Joyce is popular among gardeners due to the rich color of the petals.

Flowers and bracts of Purple Joyce are dark purple and shiny

Astrantia maximal (largest)

Astrantia grows greatest in the Caucasus. Blooms in August and September. The height of the bush is about 70 cm. The plant is distinguished by a long rhizome and tripartite leaves. The size of the inflorescences, consisting of small pink flowers, is 5-7 cm in diameter. The leaves of the involucre are filmy, pale red.

Maximum star - a highly decorative flower

Astrantia minor

The height of the bush reaches 15-30 cm. The plant has an airy appearance due to thin and tall flower shoots. The inflorescences are loose, up to 3 cm in diameter. They consist of many white flowers with curling long stamens. This species blooms in July and August.

The plant has small inflorescences and can grow up to 90 cm in height.

Astrantia carniolensis

The species is quite rarely used in gardening. The bush grows up to 45-50 cm. The plant is distinguished by palmately divided dark green glossy leaves and small light inflorescences, reaching a diameter of about 3 cm. The bracts are very narrow and long.

Astrantia Carniolian Rubra is the most commonly cultivated variety of this species. The bush grows in height up to 70-90 cm. It begins to bloom in May and ends in August.

Rubra features deep pink inflorescences and emerald green leaves.

Conclusion

Varieties and types of astrantia with names and photos give an idea of what these flowers look like. This will help novice gardeners with their choice.

Reviews

Galina, 34 years old, Moscow region

Astrantia seedlings were literally forced on me by a friend. I planted it and forgot. And when the first flowers appeared, I was surprised how beautiful it was. I didn't expect this. I have bushes with lilac and burgundy inflorescences. While they are small, I can imagine what will happen when they grow. They have a pleasant, sweetish smell. The burgundy ones are sharper, the lilac ones are gentler.

Valentina, 45 years old, Leningrad region

I have 2 varieties growing - Venice with pink flowers and Roma with light flowers. When they began to bloom in full force, I simply fell in love with them. At first I planted them in a sunny place - I thought it would be better. But they were weak, and I was advised to transplant them into partial shade, where they really liked it and gained strength. I'm happy with my favorite astrantias.

Inga, 38 years old, Moscow

A year ago I bought pink astrantia to plant in my dacha. By the end of summer it bloomed with very small green flowers with a light bloom; by mid-September, as promised in the description, the inflorescences became dark pink. But it was the small green flowers that I liked. They look great in bouquets with other flowers, so you can experiment with their arrangement. Now I have purchased 2 more varieties - Roma and Moulin Rouge, I really liked them in the photo.

Lyudmila, Nizhny Novgorod region

I love astrantia. This is my first year growing Silver Glow. In the future I want to breed a lot of them. I also like that they are unpretentious: they have never been fed, they have overwintered without shelter, and they grow in the sun.