Astrantia major ‘Star of Billion’
£5.95
A clump forming perennial producing pincushion flowers on upright stems which open pale green, slowly turning to blushing pink, before aging to paper white. Flowers from June to August. Height 95cm. Spread 45cm. Full sun/partial shade. Hardy.
Description
Astrantia major ‘Star of Billion’
Astrantia major ‘Star of Billion’ is a striking perennial that adds a touch of elegance to any garden. Known for its intricate flowers and striking star-like blooms, this plant is a fantastic choice for those looking to enhance their garden with a unique addition. Follow this comprehensive planting and care guide to ensure your Astrantia major ‘Star of Billion’ thrives and blooms beautifully.
Best Planting Time
- Spring: The best time to plant Astrantia major ‘Star of Billion’ is in the spring when the soil begins to warm. This gives the roots ample time to establish before the blooming season, ensuring healthy growth and stunning flowers in the summer months.
- Autumn: Alternatively, early autumn is also a good time to plant. The plant will have time to settle into its new home before the cooler months, allowing for stronger growth the following spring.
Site Selection
- Sunlight: Astrantia major ‘Star of Billion’ thrives in partial shade to full sun, but it prefers a position with some light afternoon shade. Choose a spot that receives a few hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal flower production.
- Soil: This plant prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. It thrives in slightly moist soil but should not sit in waterlogged conditions. To improve soil quality, incorporate compost or well-rotted organic material before planting.
Planting Instructions
- Prepare the Hole: When planting Astrantia major ‘Star of Billion’, dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth. This allows the roots to spread comfortably and establish themselves.
- Soil Preparation: Mix compost or organic material into the soil to ensure good drainage and fertility. This will help the plant thrive and encourage strong, healthy growth.
- Planting: Place the root ball into the hole so that the top of the root is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill the hole with soil, pressing gently to eliminate any air pockets and ensure good root-to-soil contact.
- Watering After Planting: Water the plant thoroughly to help settle the soil around the roots. Make sure the area drains well, as standing water can cause root rot.
Watering Requirements
- Growing Season: Once established, Astrantia major ‘Star of Billion’ is relatively drought-tolerant but benefits from regular watering during dry spells. Water deeply and allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions. Avoid waterlogging to keep the roots healthy.
- Dormant Season: During the dormant months, reduce watering significantly. Water sparingly, only when the soil becomes dry.
Feeding
- Spring: To give your Astrantia major ‘Star of Billion’ a strong start, apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring. This supports healthy growth and encourages abundant flowering.
- Mid-Summer: A light application of fertiliser in mid-summer can help maintain flower production and overall plant health.
Pruning
- Deadheading: Regular deadheading, or removing spent flowers, is recommended to extend the blooming period and keep the plant looking tidy. This also encourages the plant to produce more flowers.
- Autumn Pruning: After the blooming season, cut the plant back to ground level. This helps the plant conserve energy and prepares it for dormancy in the colder months.
Mulching
- Spring: Applying a layer of mulch around the base of Astrantia major ‘Star of Billion’ in the spring helps to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Use organic mulch such as bark chips or compost.
- Winter: In colder months, a layer of mulch around the plant can protect the roots from freezing temperatures, ensuring the plant survives through winter and emerges healthy in spring.
Supporting the Plant
- Staking: While Astrantia major ‘Star of Billion’ generally has a sturdy structure, staking may be necessary in particularly windy areas or if the plant starts to grow taller than expected. Use garden stakes to keep the plant upright if necessary.
Final Tips
Astrantia major ‘Star of Billion’ is a hardy and low-maintenance perennial that will bring beauty to your garden for many years. With its stunning, intricate flowers and elegant appearance, it makes an excellent addition to borders, woodland gardens, and shaded areas. By following the care instructions outlined above, you will enjoy a healthy and vibrant plant that thrives through the seasons. Add Astrantia major ‘Star of Billion’ to your garden today for a unique and lasting display of floral beauty.
See more Astrantias from Proctors
Additional information
Pot Size | |
---|---|
Plant Botanical Type | Perennial (herbaceous) |
Flower Colour | White |
Leaf Colour | Green |
Varigated Leaf | No |
Scent | No |
Height | 0.95m |
Spread | 0.45m |
Blooms/foliage interest in | Summer, Autumn |
Evergreen | No |
Hardiness | Winter to -10C |
Container | Borders and Containers |
Sun/shade | Full sun, partial shade |
Soil Type | Loam (normal) |
Soil PH | Neutral |
Drainage | Moist Soil |
Hazerdous | No |
Insect Attraction | Bees |
Marilyn Sheath (verified owner) –
All plants excellent quality and beautifully packaged. Thank you. Would use again.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Arrived safely and in excellent condition
Lesley H. (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Very healthy plant and arrived on time.
Lynda Holt (verified owner) –
Perfect
Ann Robinson (verified owner) –
T (verified owner) –
Arrived in beautiful condition with several flowers our and remains in good condition.
Naomi Hitchman (verified owner) –
Beautiful healthy plants, very well packaged. Thankyou 😊
Michael C. (verified owner) –
John Bryden (verified owner) –
Adele (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Beautiful plant and very well packaged
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Like the rest of the plants in my order, a beautiful large, healthy plant which has been flowering non-stop since it arrived
Sally L. (verified owner) –
Beautiful healthy plant
Helen B. (verified owner) –
Beautiful and exactly what I wanted.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Really healthy plants with plenty of vigour!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
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Robert Allen (verified owner) –
Nice plant & fast delivery – My first choice for plants
Tim Rodwell (verified owner) –
I was delighted by my purchase. The Astrantia were delivered in perfect condition and are now thriving in their beds. To make things even better, the cost per plant was much less than all others that I researched.
I will certainly use Proctors in future.
Chris M. (verified owner) –
Really healthy plant ready to go straight into the garden. Best packaging I’ve seen too.
Christine A. (verified owner) –
Mary R. (verified owner) –
Very impressed with the customer service regarding ordering, delivery and communications, also the plants are top quality. So, happy with your company and will not hesitate to order from you again.
Chris S. (verified owner) –
Neil Summerfield (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Plants arrived looking very healthy and packed well.
Jeff B. (verified owner) –
Jim Marnoch (verified owner) –
Nice, healthy plants, very pleased.
Susan C. (verified owner) –
Lovely, healthy plant, really pleased, will buy from here again.
Grant Emmerson (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Valerie (verified owner) –
Really excellent healthy plant timely and well packaged delivery
Angela C. (verified owner) –
Healthy plants, well packaged and quick delivery
Judith Long (verified owner) –
Grant Emmerson (verified owner) –
Jeffrey (verified owner) –
It arrived very quickly and very well packaged. This is the second plant from this company I’ve had and both have been very good. I shall continue to buy from them.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Louise P. (verified owner) –
Plants were reasonably priced but didn’know the price of delivery before ordering. Well packed and in good condition. Well established healthy plants ready for planting out. Would buy from Proctors again.
Leanne Isaac (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Catherine Hall (verified owner) –
I love Astrantias and needed a white one for my collection. Beautiful and healthy established plant. Can’t wait for it to flower 🙂 Securely packaged for delivery and great price too
Aga King (verified owner) –
Carol H. (verified owner) –
Lovely plant in bud at the moment. I ordered 3 Astrantia different colours. I’m very happy .
Maria (verified owner) –
Great condition
angela g. (verified owner) –
Celia Quinn (verified owner) –
Jane (verified owner) –
Although the plants are dormant I’m sure they will be fine
Kenneth Griffiths (verified owner) –
Well packed plants in a spacious box. great condition because of protection whilst in transit. Easy purchase and speedy delivery. First class service.
Helen (verified owner) –
Lovely healthy plants arrived in great condition. Hope to shop with you again. Many thanks
Rachel M. (verified owner) –
Helena Dennison (verified owner) –
Arrived in excellent condition and were good sized plants
Julia (verified owner) –
Gillian Mills (verified owner) –
Lisa (verified owner) –
Lovely plant in good condition
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Wpnderful plants first class
Andrew H. (verified owner) –
Andy H. (verified owner) –
Daniel (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –