Astrantia maxima

Astrantia maxima has the common name largest masterwort. It belongs to the Apiaceae family. Its native range starts in northeastern Türkiye. It runs through the Caucasus to northwestern Iran. The plant grows in temperate regions. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Astrantia helleborifolia is another name for the same plant. This leafy plant forms a clump and lives for years. It is herbaceous, with soft growth rather than woody stems. Its leaves are deciduous: they die back, not stay green year-round.

The RHS size table gives a garden height of 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. Its description gives a slightly greater height of 2 feet [0.6 metres]. The listed spread reaches 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. Plants take two to five years to reach full size. Each clump has many leaves, each with three lobes. Stems branch and hold flower heads above the leaves. These heads span about 1.2–2.4 inches [3–6 centimetres]. Broad pinkish bracts sit around the small pink flowers. These bracts make up much of each head's show.

For best growth, choose moist, rich soil with plenty of humus. The RHS advises sun or part shade for growing this plant. It also copes with more shade and somewhat drier soil. Even so, it still prefers moist ground. The soil choices listed are chalk, clay, loam, and sand. It can grow in acid, neutral, or alkaline soil. The RHS lists moist soil that drains well as suitable. It also lists soil that drains poorly. Choose a site with shelter, facing any direction. Its H7 rating is the RHS's coldest hardiness class. This covers harsh winters in continental Europe below minus 20°C.

Use it in beds, borders, or informal cottage gardens. The RHS lists coastal gardens as suitable sites too. The pink heads can serve as cut flowers. Its clump shape and branched flower stems suit mixed planting. Cut off spent heads before seeds ripen to curb self-seeding. To grow new plants, sow ripe seed in pots. Keep the pots in a cold frame. You can also divide plants in spring to make more.

Watch for astrantia leaf miner, a pest the RHS lists. Powdery mildew may affect this plant too. The supplied sources give no facts about edible parts or toxicity. They do not establish its safety for people or pets.