Astrantia Star of Billion
Plant profile Astrantia Star of Billion
I guess Astrantia is a common plant, but I don’t really like the term common, so what they really mean is, its popular, dependable and excellent. Astrantia Star of Billion is all of these.
Performance in our garden
This is the third Summer season we have had Star of Billion in the courtyard along with another, named Star of Fire, which we will also take a look at today.
Astrantia is unlikely to let you down and Star of Billion holds up with the best of them.
Myra came to the conclusion that it was a bit on the tall side for the position we had it in. So the Wisest course of action was to pot it up and find a more suitable place in the garden for it.
Star of Billion now has an excellent position in the back garden where it is going to stay, well, for the time being.
Plant details
Astrantia Major Star of Billion is a recent introduction, with clusters of small white flowers and mid green leaves, the petals are unusually, edged green.
This particular form of Astrantia has a very long flowering period, blooming from late May until the end of September.
Loved by country cottage gardeners, Star of Billion will reach a maximum height of 3ft (91.44 cm). No need to worry about the height because the stems are very sturdy, so no support is required.
Astrantia enjoys full sun or partial shade, with emphasis on the partial shade. Often in hot days she will wilt, no need to worry as a gallon of water will help her to revive.
Height
Between 60 and 90cm. Our star of Billion reached 90 cm because of the shady position
Position
will grow in most situations, preference for partial shade
Hardiness
fully hardy throughout the UK
Flowers
white green edged blooms from early Summer until September. Leaves are mid green
Propogation
divide Astrantia in early Spring or early Autumn
Common name
masterwort or pincushion flower
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Astrantia Star of Fire
The Astrantia Star of Fire is one of the deepest reds I have come across. Planted in the courtyard at the same time as Star of Billion.
June in our Fife garden
The plant which I like most of all is at its very best in the month of June (Hostas) Here are three of them which we have in tubs and borders in the back garden.
Hosta Pauls Glory
The label says its Paul’s Glory, however a Google search shows it looking rather different to the one which we have.
Hosta June
Yes, I know it’s the month of June, but yes that is the name of this Hosta, what a beauty.
Hosta Blue Mouse Ears
This dwarf variety growing in a pot and placed in the patio is very special. A little gem which also looks very good when smothered with blue flowers in July.
I have never really considered having a plant collection but this mouse series has me tempted. Seems there is a very large number of them available, I think more freely available in the USA.
Meconopsis x Sheldonii Lingholm
I think every gardener loves blue flowers, and if asked to choose, many would go for the Himalayan blue poppy.
Although, meconopsis is not a true poppy we have always referred to them as such.
I planted a group of three Sheldonii Lingholm in the back garden at the tail end of Summer last year. They were flowering at their best in late May early June this year. They are still looking not bad in the third week of June. I think they will give an even better show next year when more mature.
There may not be many plants which grow better in Scotland than they do south of the border, Meconopsis is one that does. Here it is growing in our Aberdeen garden
Corydalis Blue Line
The Corydalis Blue Line planted in the courtyard is smothered with flowers and what a fantastic shade of blue they are.
This Corydalis has a long flowering period and although described as herbaceous which means they lose their leaves in Winter, ours surprisingly remained evergreen with healthy leaves all Winter long.
The courtyard is very sheltered but the plant behaviour did surprise me.
On the downside, the flower stems are incredibly weak and after moderate rain, were totally flattened. So next year I will be better prepared with a support structure.
I guess the deer would be challenging Pam.
I don’t know why I don’t have astrantia, Alistair. After all they are an old cottage garden plant. I like that red one. I do have hostas, however, and like yours mine are doing well this year. But here it’s always a challenge stopping the deer from eating them. P. x
Hello Nadezda, I cant get enough of Hostas
I love Astrantia Alistair, interesting information. I don’t grow it, I have hostas as well.
Happy weekend!
Thanks it’s maybe too big for Pot but I’ll read up about it and hopefully it will flourish.
Hello Anne
All my plants come from mail order. Frustrating about your Camellia. I have never had so much success with Camellias than at present in our Fife garden. Your soil is perhaps to alkaline, it must be acidic. Camellias do well in pots, you must use ericaceous compost, the pot must be a decent size and ensure free drainage. Read up about the feeding and watering regime. If your plant is a suitable size why not give potting up a try.
I love the astrantias.do you send for your plants or are they from a garden centre.would you have any idea why my camellia has never flowered.it has plenty buds but now I see a lot of the leaves are turning yellow.its in a shady spot.
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