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Key characteristics

Family: Apiaceae
Height: 1.5 to 2 feet
Width: 1 to 1.5 feet
Flower color: White pincushion flowers with greenish-white bracts
Foliage color: Deep green, deeply lobed leaves
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low; deadhead to prolong bloom and prevent self-seeding
Growing zone: USDA zones 4–7
Wildlife: Bees and other pollinators

Perennials

Astrantia major 'Alba'

Alba Greater Masterwort

Astrantia major 'Alba' showcases delicate, starry flowers in pure white. The blooms, encircled by light green edged elegant bracts, appear from late spring through early summer, creating a refined and understated presence in the garden. The flowers rise above a mound of deeply divided green foliage, offering a harmonious and naturalistic appeal.

Native to Europe, this cultivar is a refined variation of the species, celebrated for its pristine floral display.

Light

Partial shade to full shade

Water

Medium

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Shade Gardens
Woodland Gardens
Pollinator Gardens
Containers

Companion plants

Ferns · Lungworts · Wild ginger · Hellebores · Japanese forest grass · Astilbes

Design tip

The long summer show pairs well with plants that peak earlier, keeping one area interesting for months. Cooler light suits it, so tuck it on the north side of a shrub or wall where the soil stays even.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)