Astrantia
Astrantia major
Also called Masterwort, Greater masterwort and Hattie's pincushion
Garden plant · PerennialsIt wants the one thing most border plants do not — soil that never dries out. In a dry sunny spot it sulks, flowers once and goes over; in damp shade it flowers from June to September and seeds itself about.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Every 5 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Part shade, and it will take full shade in damp ground
- Feed
- Every 45 days
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Very hardy RHS H7, to -25°C
- Size
- 0.75 m tall · 0.45 m across
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Origin
- Central and eastern Europe
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsNothing recorded against it
No animal-poison authority lists this plant either way.
PeopleNot checked yet
Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-22. Where a source says nothing, we say nothing.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
First signs of trouble
- The new leaves come through in March already ragged, with holes bitten out between the veins and a dried slime trail on the crown — this one is eaten before it is ever seen above ground.Slug damage · pest
- A white bloom on the upper leaves in a dry July, worst on the side away from the rain, while the flowers themselves stay clean.Powdery mildew · disease