Content
Astrantia large belongs to the Astrantia genus, the Umbrella family. This perennial herb is found in Europe and the Caucasus. Other names - big astrantia, big star. Landing and caring for Astrania large will not cause any particular difficulties.
Zvezdovka big is unpretentious, rarely gets sick, is not afraid of drought
Description of large astrania
Large zvezdovka is a rhizome plant with spreading bushes about 70 cm high and 40 cm in diameter. It has low-branched stems with a small number of leaves that have a finger-split or finger-lobed shape. They form basal rosettes.
The flowers of Astrantia are large, pale pink, in the shape of umbrellas, inflorescences, similar to stars, consist of a large number of small buds. The leaves of the wrapper are deep green, large. Blooming inflorescences are about 5 cm in size.
The blooming period of Astrantia large depends on the variety and lasts from May to September. The fruit of the plant is a two-seed. Zvezdovka is a honey plant.
Types and varieties
Astrantia large is most often used in the design of gardens and parks. Many decorative varieties have been bred, which can be seen in flower beds and summer cottages.
Moulin rouge
It is a plant with ruby constellations and very dark gradient wrap leaves - with a transition from wine red to black. Moulin Rouge grows up to 55-60 cm. Astrantia prefers sunlit areas.
Astrantia Moulin Rouge blooms from June to August
Diva
This astrantia is quite compact, the bush grows up to 60-70 cm. It is distinguished by burgundy inflorescences. Leaves with long petioles, shiny, bright green, deeply palmate-lobed, retain their decorative effect until the end of autumn. Will grow in both shaded and sunny areas, but feels better in partial shade. Blooms from June to the beginning of frost.
Astrantia Diva is good for cutting
Shaggy
Astrantia large Shaggy is a new variety. Height - up to 75 cm, in diameter - up to 40 cm. Shaggy inflorescences are 4.5-5 cm in size. Grows in partial shade and in direct sunlight. Astrantia is used for cutting.
Inflorescences are large, white with a greenish tinge
Claret
Astrantia large Claret prefers shaded areas. The bush is about 55 cm high.
Inflorescences of Astrantia Claret are dark red, translucent wrappers
Snowstar
The bush is about 70 cm high. Snow Star Astrantia can be planted in full sun and partial shade.
Inflorescences are white with a greenish tint on the reverse side
Alba
The height of the bushes is from 30 to 60 cm. The Latin name of Astrantia is Alba.
Alba is a sprawling plant with white flowers with a greenish tint
Buckland
The height of astrantia large Buckland reaches 60 cm. The Buckland variety can be grown in any area.
Inflorescences are light pink, the wrappers are lighter
Ruby Wedding
Ruby Wedding has ruby purple buds and burgundy stems that blend beautifully with dark green leaves. Adult specimens of Astrantia reach 65 cm in height.
Ruby Wedding loves partial shade, grows well near tall trees
Abbey road
Plant with pink-lilac flowers, pink-purple bracts and dark green palmate-lobed leaves. The height of Astrantia Abbey Road reaches 60-70 cm. Loves partial shade and illuminated areas. Used for cutting and growing in pots.
Abbey Road - a flower with a lilac shade
Red Joyce
Flowers and bracts are dark red, shiny. The leaves of Red Joyce are rich green, in the springtime you can see reddish highlights on them. Stretches up to 55 cm. It grows both in the sun and in partial shade of trees. Astrantia large Red Joyce is suitable for growing in containers, and it is also used for cutting and decorating bouquets.
Red Joyce is distinguished by decorative flowers
Rosensimphony
Rosen Symfony is 70 cm high. The cultivar has dense bright pink flowers and pale pink wrappers.
Rosensymphony grows best in shaded areas
Venice
The height of the Venice flower is 50-60 cm. The peculiarity of the variety is the inflorescences of a rich wine color with dense perianths, as if cut out of corrugated paper. Flowers do not fade and retain their shape well
Venice is perfect for pruning and winter bouquets
Roma
Astrantia large-flowered Roma is distinguished by large inflorescences of a delicate smoky pink color. The bush grows up to 90 cm. Flowering lasts from the beginning of June to the end of September. Use Astrantia Roma for the cut.
Roma grows well in both sun and shaded areas
Rosea
Astrantia large Rosea reaches a height of 40-60 cm. The bush is compact, the inflorescences are pastel pink, the wrapper is slightly red, filmy. The peculiarity of the Rosea flower is the stripes on the dark green leaves.
Rosea blooms profusely from July to September
Sunningdale Variegata
A feature of the Sunningdale Variegated plant is its decorative green leaves with golden and creamy stripes.
Sunningdale Variegat's inflorescences are pale lavender
Lars
The height of the plant is about 70 cm. The inflorescences of Lars are pink. It blooms for a month from the end of June.
Lars - a new large variety of Astrania, which does not give self-seeding
Reproduction methods
Astrantia large is multiplied in two ways:
- seeds;
- dividing a bush or rhizome.
With the seed method, varietal characteristics may not be preserved. There is a high probability of mutations and changes in the size and shade of the inflorescences, as well as the shape of the leaves. Seeds are planted directly in open ground or seedlings are grown first.
With the vegetative method, the varietal qualities of Astrantia are preserved. The method consists in dividing the bush into parts - delenki. It is believed that after separation, the mother plant blooms more luxuriantly. The advantage of the method is that the cuttings take root well, flowering will begin in 2 years. You can also propagate Astrantia by dividing the rhizome - you need to cut off small fragments from it and plant it in a nutritious soil mixture. This procedure is carried out in early spring.
Astrantia is rarely propagated by seeds.
Planting and leaving
Astrantia large (Astrantia Major) is an undemanding plant, therefore it is ideal for novice florists.
First you need to familiarize yourself with the description and photo of a large astrania, choose the variety you like and buy seed.
When to sow seeds
Astrantia is able to reproduce by self-sowing, but usually gardeners control this process:
- In the fall, they collect seeds and immediately sow them into the soil in a prepared area before winter. They can be stratified within 2 months and sown in the spring when the soil warms up.
- In early spring, large Astrantia is sown in containers for seedlings, then planted in the ground.
The seeds can be purchased at the store. It is recommended to sow the finished material in the ground in March. The germination capacity of purchased seeds is higher than that of those grown with their own hands. After 3 weeks, they sprout.
Soil and seed preparation
The seeds collected in the fall are harvested for stratification in a refrigerator in a vegetable container for 3 months. In early spring, you need to prepare a light, nutritious soil for sowing.
Sowing seeds and caring for seedlings
The earth is laid out in a container, the seeds are spread over its surface, sprinkled with a layer of soil mixture. The containers are covered with foil or glass and placed in a warm place with an air temperature of 20-23 degrees.
When the seeds germinate, the film or glass is removed
When shoots appear, the containers are rearranged in a place with good lighting. After about 10 days, they are thinned out. The sprouts should be watered as soon as the top layer of the earth is dry. In addition, careful loosening of the substrate will be required.
When two true leaves appear in the sprouts, they need to be planted in individual pots. When diving, use the same soil as when sowing.
10 days before the transplant of astrantia, the seedlings are gradually hardened. To do this, they put it on the balcony or on the street every day, gradually increasing the time spent in the open air. When it fully adapts to the conditions, it is planted in the ground.
Landing in open ground and subsequent care
The landing of a large astrantia in the ground occurs at the end of May-beginning of June. You can choose a place well lit by the sun or light partial shade. The land is needed loose and quite nutritious. The composition does not matter and can be anything. The rhizome of the flower is compact and close to the surface, so the plant does not need a fertile layer of great thickness.
Loams and sandstones are best suited for the starfish; you should not plant a flower on sandy soils
Astrantia bushes are planted in a flower garden at a distance of 30-40 cm. The seedling is placed in a hole, sprinkled with earth to the root outlet, tamped and watered abundantly.
The plant does not require any special care. It may well do without moisture - it has enough rainfall. Even in drought and heat, frequent watering is not needed - it is enough to do this once a week. In such conditions, one flowering will be ensured. If a second is required, it is necessary to keep the soil moist for the entire period of growth and development of Astrantia.
After watering, the soil is loosened and the weeds that have appeared are removed. The same should be done after the rain. To keep moisture in the soil longer, the area around the root must be mulched with peat or humus.
In order for the large Astrantia bush to be symmetrical and lush, and the flowering lasts a long time, you need to cut off the faded inflorescences in time, which stimulates the growth of new arrows.
If the flower is planted in a nutritious soil mixture, then feeding will be required only once: in early spring it must be fertilized with mineral complexes. If it grows on poor land, a second feeding with potash-phosphorus fertilizers is recommended in the second half of summer. Makeup must be liquid. When applying dry fertilizer to the soil, watering is required.
Zvezdovka can do without a transplant for up to 10 years. But it is recommended to plant it more often - about every 6 years.
Astrantia grows very quickly after planting, forming dense thickets after one year
Zvezdovka gives abundant self-seeding and, under favorable conditions, can spread over the site. To prevent this from happening, you need to cut off the inflorescences until the seeds are set. This will not only prevent uncontrolled self-seeding, but will also encourage re-flowering.
Diseases and pests
Astrantia large is not very susceptible to diseases and pests. With too much watering, fungal diseases can develop. For treatment, fungicides are used, such as phytosporin, fundazol.
Sometimes the plant is affected by powdery mildew, which is manifested by the appearance of a white bloom on the leaves, which subsequently darkens. Fight against it with fungicides, for example, "Topaz".
Of the pests, a slug can be called, which causes considerable harm to the plant - the leaves are especially affected, and Astrantia loses its decorative properties. Slug loves a moist environment, therefore, for prevention, it is recommended to add dry soil to the flower bed after watering.Also, to prevent its appearance, the starfish is treated with insecticides. From the surface of plants, these pests are collected by hand and destroyed.
Sometimes astrantia is attacked by the phytomiz fly, eating leaves, and aphids.
With improper care, astrantia can be affected by a fungus
When and how to collect seeds
To get the seeds of Astrantia large, even during flowering, you need to look after the largest and most beautiful inflorescences. When they fade and begin to dry out, you need to put gauze bags on them so that the seeds do not spill out.
When the inflorescences are completely dry, they need to be cut off, sent to dry in a ventilated room. They should be laid out on a horizontal surface. Then remove the seeds and put them in a paper bag or cardboard box. Store in a dry place out of sunlight.
Preparing for winter
In the fall, Astrantia is prepared for wintering. It is completely cut off, almost to the very ground, and sprinkled with a layer of mulch - humus or peat. Adult plants are not afraid of cold weather, so there is no need to cover them. Young ones are recommended to be covered with coniferous branches or special material.
What colors does it match
Astrantia is large, like its other species, it looks good in group plantings. It is modest and natural, thanks to the shape and size of the inflorescences, it makes any composition light and airy, visibly enlivens the picture on the lawn. It matches many colors. It is planted next to lungwort, bells, hosts, sage, Patagonian vervain, pinnacle, monarda.
Astrantia looks spectacular with large roses and lilies. In a shady flower garden, she gets along well with a buzulnik, rogersia, brunner. In the open sun - with peonies, geraniums, sedges, small-flowered roses. On the shore of the reservoir - with Siberian irises, gravilat, badan. On an alpine hill, undersized varieties will keep company stonecrops and young people. Different varieties of astrania look great on the same lawn. It is especially often used in naturalistic compositions and in English-style gardens.
You can see how large Astrantia flowers look in a flowerbed in the photo below.
Zvezdovka ideally coexists with roses
Conclusion
Planting and caring for a large astrantia will be within the power of any summer resident. When decorating a garden plot, it is worth taking a closer look at such a perennial as Big Zvezdovka. The variety of varieties will allow you to create unique compositions on the site. Flowers are well suited for cutting and decorating dry winter bouquets.
