Astrantia - Star of Summer

Astrantia Star of Summer, Astrantia major 'Star of Summer' PPAF, has spectacular purple/red flowers that stand tall above the bright green foliage. Each flower of 'Star of Summer' PPAF glows with a starry collar of purple red bracts surrounding a button-like umbel of white. They are produced on wiry stems in branched clusters from early through late summer. This long flowering perennial is ideal when planted in borders or along streams. It makes an excellent cut flower and butterflies find the blooms appealing. Astrantia thrive in moist, humus-rich or heavy clay soil. With good soil moisture, astrantia can be planted in full sun. To stimulate more blooms, remove old flowers. Blooms last long - late spring to early summer, and the bracts usually remain attractive well after bloom. Like little pincushions, their abundant blooms float above rosettes of mid-sized, deeply lobed, bright green leaves.