Re: Astrantia - Masterworts
Hello Marilyn & others....
Wow! Quite a few responses on the Masterworts and experience growing them...
or in some cases wanting to grow them in the garden. In all the replies there are
about an equal number of successes and failures. Consensus on success seems to be
afternoon shade, good quality soil with lots of humus and reasonable moisture.
Marilyn you are saying somewhat dry shade... do you get the rains during
growth periods, then dry out after the blooms?
I now have your 'Hadspen Blood' from tissue culture labs growing on over the
summer. "Ruby Wedding' I just potted up divisions, along with 'Shaggy" and the
regular A. major. I have seen them growing in local gardens, so know they do
perform and perform well... just wish I had paid more attention to "how" they were
being grown while out viewing other's gardens. But then I have you guys to talk to
.
Gene Bush Southern Indiana Zone 6a Munchkin Nursery
around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com http://www.munchkinnursery.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Marilyn Dube <maridube@teleport.com>
Subject: RE: Astrantia - Masterworts
> Hi Gene,
> So glad you have asked about one of my favorite shade plants. I grow A.
> major, just the plain white species with all the red filaments one can see
> by looking down inside the flower, at the base of a 40 ft. Douglas Fir tree
> that sucks the soil dry, It blooms for several months spring & summer and
> looks quite nice for awhile longer as the flowers dry well right on the
> plant.
> A. maxima is a lovely cotton candy pink with larger flowers than A. major.
> This one has been short lived for me.
> A. x 'Marjorie Fish' (sometimes called Shaggy) is a naturally occurring
> sport found by Marjorie Fish in her garden where the GB national collection
> of Astrantias was and perhaps still is. Some of our British list members
> should be able to tell us for sure. Shaggy has come true from seed for me,
> but I don't know whether it might have been a fluke. It is taller and has
> extra long white petals tinged with green - very lovely. I grow it in dense
> shade on the north side of my house, in rich, moist soil.
> The current rage here are the dark, blood red Astrantias such as 'Hadspen
> Blood' & "Ruby Wedding' - both hard to come by. I bought 'Ruby Wedding'
> from Heronswood last winter and it bloomed very prettily - then disappeared!
> I'd like to think it is just dormant, but I'm afraid it died :(. I'd love
> to find a wholesale source for Hadspen Blood, but they are scarcer than hens
> teeth.
> They are wonderful companions for Campanulas, ferns, begonias & Japanese
> anemones.
> Marilyn Dube'
> Natural Designs Nursery
> Portland, Oregon
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-perennials@mallorn.com [owner-perennials@mallorn.com] On
> Behalf Of GeneBush
> Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2000 4:22 AM
> To: perennials@mallorn.com
> Subject: Astrantia - Masterworts
>
> Hello to all,
> I have been aware of masterworts for some years now, but finally just
> got
> around to trying them in the garden this year. Believe I am not the only one
> who
> is finally discovering this "new" perennial. I am seeing all kinds of
> variations
> on a theme out there in catalogs. The species, lots of forms and cultivars.
> Wholesale catalog are beginning to offer two, three, or more in their
> listings.
> Anyone else out there growing these strange and fascinating perennials?
> What
> are your experiences? How are they performing for you? What type of
> environment
> have you provided for them in your garden?
>
> Gene Bush Southern Indiana Zone 6a Munchkin Nursery
> around the woods - around the world
> genebush@otherside.com http://www.munchkinnursery.com
>
>
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