Astrantia Rose Seeds — Astrantia major

A Rosy Jewel for the Cottage Garden

Astrantia Rose (Astrantia major 'Rose') is a captivating variety of the beloved Masterwort, bearing its intricate pincushion blooms in warm, deep rose-pink tones. Each flower head is surrounded by a collar of pointed, papery bracts that catch the light beautifully, creating a display that feels both wildly romantic and quietly sophisticated. A true cottage garden treasure that looks equally stunning in a vase as it does nodding gently in a shaded border.

Why Gardeners Love It

• 🌸 Rich rose-pink pincushion blooms — deeper and warmer in colour than the species, with the same intricate star-like charm
• ✂️ Outstanding cut and dried flower — long-lasting fresh and retains its beauty when dried
• 📏 Grows 60–90 cm tall — perfect for mid-border planting and shaded cottage beds
• 🐝 Attracts bees and beneficial insects — a valuable addition to any NZ pollinator garden
• 🌱 Long-lived perennial — establishes slowly but rewards with years of beautiful blooms

Growing Tips for New Zealand

Astrantia Rose thrives in moist, humus-rich soil in a partially shaded to shaded position. In cooler regions of New Zealand, it will also tolerate full sun provided the soil stays consistently moist. It dislikes hot, dry conditions and performs best in NZ's cooler regions including Canterbury, Otago, Wellington, and the central North Island. Patience is rewarded — plants may take a full season to establish before flowering freely.

How to Stratify Astrantia Seeds

Astrantia requires cold stratification to germinate reliably — skipping this step is the most common reason these seeds fail. Here's how to do it successfully:

1. Moisten a paper towel until damp but not dripping, and place your seeds inside, folded over to keep them in contact with the moisture.
2. Seal in a zip-lock bag and label it with the date.
3. Refrigerate for 4–6 weeks at 2–5°C — the standard fridge temperature. Check weekly to ensure the towel stays moist and watch for any signs of germination.
4. Sow immediately once stratification is complete, or as soon as you see seeds beginning to sprout. Sow into moist seed-raising mix at a depth of just 2–3 mm, as light aids germination.
5. Keep cool and moist — place pots in a cool, sheltered spot (not in direct sun) and maintain consistent moisture. Germination can still take 2–4 weeks after stratification, so don't give up!

Alternatively, sow directly outdoors in autumn and let the NZ winter do the work naturally — this is often the most reliable method of all.

What's in the Packet

Each packet contains 10 seeds of Astrantia Rose (Astrantia major 'Rose'), along with full printed instructions for cold stratification.