Astrantia 'Claret'

Planting Advice for Astrantia major 'Claret':

• Best grown in moist, fertile, humus-rich soil, plants can be positioned in sun or partial shade and will also tolerate drier conditions.
• Before planting, prepare the soil by digging over and removing any weeds. Astrantias do not like to dry out. Incorporate plenty of organic matter when planting and water well in dry weather especially newly established plants.
• When planting a number of perennials, arrange them on the surface so you can see how they will look before planting.
• Individually knock out each plant from its container. Look at the roots – if they are circling around the compost, it is best to tease them out. To do this, push your fingers into the rootball along the bottom edge and pull. Do this in a couple of places. This should encourage the roots to spread into the surrounding soil.
• Next use a trowel or spade to create a hole just deep and wide enough to set in the rootball.
• The aim is to bury just the roots, leaving the bases of the stems (when in growth in summer) or the shoots (in spring) above ground.
• Firm back around the soil, using your hand for small clumps and your heel on larger areas.
• Water in well to settle the soil and prevent drying out.

Aftercare for Astrantia 'Claret':

• Lift and divide large clumps in early spring and apply a generous 5-7cm mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the plant.
• Divided specimens may take some time to establish since they don't like having their roots disturbed.
• Plants will self-seed themselves profusely if you allow the flower stalks to set seed, so they're best removed once finished to prevent seeding.

Pruning Astrantia:

• After flowering, can be cut right back to produce a second flush of foliage and flowers.