Abbey Road Masterwort
Astrantia major 'Abbey Road' P.P.# 14961
A dome of tiny florets with a collar form unusual deep reddish-purple flowers on black stems. Basal, divided foliage spreads by underground runners to form a dense clump. Ideal in the perennial border, along streams or naturalized under trees. Herbaceous.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | ast-ran-tee-a MAY-jor |
| Key feature: | Summer Flowering |
| Plant type: | Perennial |
| Patent Act: | Asexual reproduction of plants protected by the Plant Patent Act is prohibited during the life of the patent. |
| Garden style: | Cottage |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Herbaceous |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 4 - 7 |
| Light needs: | Partial to full sun |
| Water Needs: | Needs wet or constantly moist soil. |
| Average landscape size: | Low, mounding foliage spreads to 2 ft., flower stems to 28 in. tall. |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Landscape use: | Woodland Garden |
| Flower color: | Purple |
| Blooms: | Early to late summer |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 2319 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. For a neat appearance, remove old foliage before new leaves emerge. Divide clumps every 2 to 3 years in early spring.
Design Ideas
The old fashioned casual looks of masterwort is exceptional in cottage and country gardens where it first got its start. An exceptional choice for partially shaded beds where it can spread and sprawl. Exploit its preferences for damp spots in and around tree groves. Blends very naturally into large stands of grasses in wild gardens. Long preferred for stream banks and rock strewn water features. This new cultivar was bred to produce in cutting gardens were its blooms resemble strawflowers.
History
Astrantia falls into the Umbelliferae or parsley family with many famous herbs such as fennel and Queen Anne's lace that share flowers born on specific open structures known as umbels. The genus was named for the star like appearance of the white flowers. Only one species is cultivated to any extent, a native perennial wildflower of Europe. It is most specifically found in Switzerland and Austria at edges of woodlands and in alpine meadows. It reached England in 1597 and soon became a common cottage garden flower known as Hattie's pin-cushion or Melancholy Gentleman. This is a new richer colored cultivar developed for the cut flower industry.
Lore
Masterwort is a medicinal plant dating back to the middle ages when it was recommended for "the bite of a rabid dog". Though not a contemporary remedy, it's camphor-like oil led to its suggested uses for a half dozen different ailments.
A dome of tiny florets with a collar form unusual deep reddish-purple flowers on black stems. Basal, divided foliage spreads by underground runners to form a dense clump. Ideal in the perennial border, along streams or naturalized under trees. Herbaceous.
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. For a neat appearance, remove old foliage before new leaves emerge. Divide clumps every 2 to 3 years in early spring.
Design Ideas
The old fashioned casual looks of masterwort is exceptional in cottage and country gardens where it first got its start. An exceptional choice for partially shaded beds where it can spread and sprawl. Exploit its preferences for damp spots in and around tree groves. Blends very naturally into large stands of grasses in wild gardens. Long preferred for stream banks and rock strewn water features. This new cultivar was bred to produce in cutting gardens were its blooms resemble strawflowers.
History
Astrantia falls into the Umbelliferae or parsley family with many famous herbs such as fennel and Queen Anne's lace that share flowers born on specific open structures known as umbels. The genus was named for the star like appearance of the white flowers. Only one species is cultivated to any extent, a native perennial wildflower of Europe. It is most specifically found in Switzerland and Austria at edges of woodlands and in alpine meadows. It reached England in 1597 and soon became a common cottage garden flower known as Hattie's pin-cushion or Melancholy Gentleman. This is a new richer colored cultivar developed for the cut flower industry.
Lore
Masterwort is a medicinal plant dating back to the middle ages when it was recommended for "the bite of a rabid dog". Though not a contemporary remedy, it's camphor-like oil led to its suggested uses for a half dozen different ailments.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | ast-ran-tee-a MAY-jor |
| Key feature: | Summer Flowering |
| Plant type: | Perennial |
| Patent Act: | Asexual reproduction of plants protected by the Plant Patent Act is prohibited during the life of the patent. |
| Garden style: | Cottage |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Herbaceous |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 4 - 7 |
| Light needs: | Partial to full sun |
| Water Needs: | Needs wet or constantly moist soil. |
| Average landscape size: | Low, mounding foliage spreads to 2 ft., flower stems to 28 in. tall. |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Landscape use: | Woodland Garden |
| Flower color: | Purple |
| Blooms: | Early to late summer |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 2319 |
print this page
elsewhere in
explore plant
elsewhere in
plant catalog
explore plant
collections
Monrovia soil products
The best fertilizer to use with this plant is Flower & Rose Food.view soil products