This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
This is a new variety of astrantia with stunning red pincushion flowers surrounded by a ruff of red bracts that appear from early to late summer. The leaves are pretty too; deeply lobed and dark green. Although it is an old cottage garden favourite, this astrantia works equally well in contemporary-style plantings. Use towards the front of a sunny, yet moist border. It makes an excellent cut flower as the flowers last up to two weeks in a vase. Astrantias have been cultivated in Britain since the 16th century and have numerous common names, such as melancholy gentleman, Hattie's pincushion and the more well-known masterwort.
