greater masterwort
Also known as: astrantia; black hellebore; great black masterwort; melancholy gentleman
An erect, clump-forming perennial with scarcely 3-5-lobed leaves, and flower stems to 60cm, bearing flower heads in stalked, compound umbels. Clusters of tiny, whitish-green flowers are surrounded by petal-like bracteoles which are whitish, tinged with green and pink, with conspicuous veining. Several subspecies of this plant have contributed to the many garden selections
Scientific classification
- Species
- greater masterwort (Astrantia major)
- Genus
- Astrantia
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Information to be completed
- Toxicity
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Plant type
- 0.5-1 metres
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- Deciduous
- Foliage
- Bushy
- Habit
- Spring · Summer
- Season of interest
- Full sun · Partial shade
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
greater masterwort pictures
Distribution of greater masterwort
Distribution map
C and Eastern Europe
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Culture
Information to be completed
Toxicity
Information to be completed
Quick identification of greater masterwort
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greater masterwort care guide
- Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
- Watering
- Full sun · Partial shade
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
Watering
Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Fertilizing
FertilizingBalanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer
Pruning
PruningCut back after flowers have faded to tidy and encourage a fresh flush of leaf growth
Propagation
PropagationPropagate by seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe or propagate by division in spring
Growing
GrowingBest grown in moist, fertile, preferably humus-rich soil in sun or part shade; drier conditions tolerated
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Common pests and diseases
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews
Pests
May be susceptible to astrantia leaf miner, slugs and aphids
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