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I seem to have developed a mild obsession with Astrantia in the past year even though I have only ever seen them in magazines. Can anyone recommend favourite species/varieties to grow? I live in east Galway and pH would be around 7 in most spots. Also, once I acquire an Astrantia (or 2) what's the best way to propagate? I have a baby one I grew from seed last year -- I think it's called 'Ruby Wedding' (from Chiltern Seeds) -- slugs nearly decimate so nursing it along this year. Thanks in advance for any advice on varieties or husbandry.
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Hi, You picked a good genus of plant to get hooked on. Astrantias are very easy to grow (in Meath, on limey clay). The most common is Astrantia major ('Ruby Wedding' is a seed form). They flower for quite a while, A. major all summer, and are great cut flowers with strong stems and good lasting in a vase. There is a good variegated one called 'Sunningdale Variegated' and several dark pink/red forms like yours, e.g. 'Hadspen's Blood' (great name). Also worth looking for is A. maxima, with a different shaped flower and A. major 'Shaggy', with large green/white flower heads. They are not common in garden centres, but Flip Schram in Royal Oak Nurseries has the first two. They are very easy to divide in autumn or spring and will seed about as well if they are happy. Happy hunting.
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thanks very much, vincent. is that nursery in meath? i'd nearly drive there from galway just to get astrantias... now, what can you tell me about my latest obsessions: knautia and geum??
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Knautia and Geum two more gems in Summer - Very easy to grow I have had geum for a goon number of years and have split it a few times at the end of each Summer. Geum will keep flowering all summer and the red version (mrs J Bradshaw) is nice against the purple smoke bush. Knautia Macedonia i have for the first time this year and I am delighted with, it has grown really tall and is flowering really well although It needs to be staked another job to add to the list!
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