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Astrantia major

Astrantia major

Common names: Starwort, Large Starwort, Stränze, Astrantie

Astrantia major

Photo: Audrius Meskauskas · Public Domain · Source

This description was machine-translated.

Description

Astrantia major is a delicate garden plant that thrives in partial shade. Its star‑shaped flower heads are surrounded by a ring of pointed bracts, giving the blooms a parchment‑like appearance in shades of white, pink, and deep wine‑red. The plant flowers from June to late September, provides valuable nectar for insects, and is prized as a long‑lasting cut and dried flower.

Care instructions

Plant in nutrient‑rich, humus‑laden, evenly moist soil in partial shade or light shade, avoid full, dry midday sun. Water during dry periods to prevent premature leaf drop. After the first flowering, cut back the plant to encourage a second bloom. It readily self‑seeds in suitable locations; remove unwanted seedlings by scraping up the seed heads before they disperse.

Soil & site

Soil pH

4.0pH 6.5–88.0

Soil type

loamy, humus-rich, moist, lime-loving, nutrient-rich

LightPartial shade
HardinessHardy
Water needMedium

Feeding

Medium feeder

Companion planting

Good neighbors

amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)

Umbellifers and alliums confuse each other's pests (carrot fly, onion fly).

For example GarlicOnionLeekChivesDaffodilRocambole and 12 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

daisy family (Asteraceae)

Calendula and Tagetes next to carrots keep the carrot fly away with their scent.

For example Head lettuceTagetes patulaCalendulaSunflowerCommon coneflowerFall Aster and 57 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

cabbage family (Brassicaceae)

You can pair celery and dill with all Brassicaceae because they repel the cabbage whitefly with their scent, a proven companion.

For example White cabbageKohlrabiRadishKalebroccolicauliflower and 34 more species in the catalogue

Source: Bio-Gärtnerei Mixed-culture Practice

legume family (Fabaceae)

Peas and beans provide carrot and celery with nitrogen and grow as shallow-rooted plants without competition next to each other.

For example PeaBush beanPole beanBroad beanMarker peaSugar pea and 31 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.

Some of these explanations were machine-translated.

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