Great masterwort (Hattie’s pincushion) Astrantia major
Great masterwort (Hattie’s pincushion) (Astrantia major) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Apiaceae family, native to Central and eastern Europe. It grows 50–90 cm (20–35 in) tall and 40–50 cm (16–20 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
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Great masterwort (Hattie’s pincushion) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Apiaceae |
| Mature height | 50–90 cm (20–35 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–50 cm (16–20 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 7–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Central and eastern Europe |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇸🇪 Sweden |
Is Great masterwort (Hattie’s pincushion) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Great masterwort (Hattie’s pincushion)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Great masterwort (Hattie’s pincushion)
- How far apart should I plant Great masterwort (Hattie’s pincushion)?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–50 cm (16–20 in).
- Does Great masterwort (Hattie’s pincushion) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Great masterwort (Hattie’s pincushion) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Great masterwort (Hattie’s pincushion)?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Great masterwort (Hattie’s pincushion) flower?
- From about June for 7–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Great masterwort (Hattie’s pincushion) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Great masterwort (Hattie’s pincushion)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Great masterwort (Hattie’s pincushion). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- Euro+Med PlantBase, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin
Notes and assumptions
- Papery collars of greenish-white or dark red bracts around a posy of tiny flowers, on wiry stems. Happy in moist soil in part shade; cut back after the first flush for a second.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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