Greater masterwort (Astrantia major 'Ruby Cloud')
Astrantia major 'Ruby Cloud' (Greater masterwort) features showy red blooms in part shade. A medium-maintenance perennial for moist locations.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Astrantia major ‘Ruby Cloud’, commonly known as Greater masterwort, is a highly valued herbaceous perennial prized for its unique, pincushion-like flower heads crowned by a ruff of papery bracts. The cultivar ‘Ruby Cloud’ delivers striking reddish florets, offering reliable late spring to early summer color for shaded garden areas. This stoloniferous plant naturally forms attractive colonies over time, providing textural interest with its deeply divided, dark green foliage.
Growing Astrantia major ‘Ruby Cloud’ is best achieved in conditions mimicking its native mountain meadow environment: consistently moist, organically rich, well-drained soil under part shade conditions. While it performs best in cooler summers, gardeners can successfully cultivate this Greater masterwort by maintaining uniform moisture levels throughout the growing season. Its medium height puts it perfectly in the middle layer of a mixed border or woodland planting scheme.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this plant boasts excellent longevity as a cut flower, making it a staple for fresh and dried arrangements. Incorporating Astrantia major ‘Ruby Cloud’ into your garden plan brings architectural structure and necessary moisture tolerance to partially shaded beds where many other perennials struggle.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Apiaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-7
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: May to July
- Bloom Description: Red
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium to wet
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Astrantia major ‘Ruby Cloud’ should ideally occur in spring or early fall, ensuring the location provides organically rich, medium to wet but well-drained soils. Rich compost or aged manure incorporated at planting will provide the necessary nutrients and structure for this member of the carrot family. It is crucial that the soil remains uniformly moist; do not allow the root zone of your Greater masterwort to dry out completely, especially during establishment.
Ongoing care requires attention to moisture, particularly in hotter climates. While it prefers part shade, it may tolerate full sun only if the soil remains consistently wet. Performance peaks in areas where summer night temperatures remain below 70°F, although proper hydration mitigates heat stress. Deadheading spent flowerheads after the initial bloom can encourage a longer flowering period, though allowing some to go to seed is fine if you welcome natural self-seeding colonies.
Little heavy fertilization is typically needed if the soil is rich. Monitor for slugs, which are the most common pest visitors. In early spring, clean up any withered foliage from the previous season before new growth emerges, preparing the clump for another season of robust performance from your Astrantia major ‘Ruby Cloud’.
Landscape Uses
Greater masterwort shines in garden spaces requiring reliable performance in moist, partially shaded environments. Astrantia major ‘Ruby Cloud’ is highly recommended for the middle ground of perennial borders, blending beautifully with ferns, hostas, and woodland phlox which share similar cultural needs. For a softer, cottage-garden aesthetic, allow it to naturalize freely; its non-invasive spreading via stolons will help fill in open spaces over time without overwhelming neighboring plants.
This plant excels in woodland settings, thriving beautifully in sun-dappled areas beneath the canopy of open trees where filtered light keeps the heat moderated. It is also perfectly suited for edging moist stream banks, provided the water level remains above the crown. Because the flowers of Astrantia major are remarkably long-lasting, they are excellent additions to cutting gardens, providing unique structure to bouquets, both when fresh and dried.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Good Cut
Noteworthy Characteristics
Astrantia major, commonly called greater masterwort, is an upright, umbelliferous, stoloniferous, herbaceous perennial (carrot family) that is native to mountain meadows, grasslands, woodland clearings and moist areas near streams in Europe and western Asia. Each flowerhead (2-3” diameter) features dense, compact, domed umbels of tiny greenish-white flowers which form a delicate pincushion-like center subtended by a showy collar of papery, petal-like, creamy white involucral bracts. ‘Ruby Cloud’ produces reddish florets growing from a star-like ruff of petal-like greenish or pinkish-tinged bracts, adding unique texture throughout late spring and early summer.
Tolerances
- Wet Soil
Potential Problems
This robust perennial generally resists serious insect or disease problems, contributing to its ease of maintenance. The primary pest concern revolves around occasional visits from slugs, especially in damp, shaded conditions. To manage slugs, maintain good air circulation, try incorporating sharp grit around the base of the plant, or utilize organic bait stations early in the season if infestations are persistent. Proper soil drainage is key to preventing root issues, although the plant thrives in moist conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Greater masterwort suitable for?
Astrantia major ‘Ruby Cloud’ is hardy and thrives reliably in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7, offering excellent cold tolerance for many temperate regions.
When does Greater masterwort bloom?
This variety of Greater masterwort typically displays its distinctive reddish flowers from May all the way through July.
How large does Astrantia major ‘Ruby Cloud’ grow?
When mature, Astrantia major ‘Ruby Cloud’ will reach a height between 2 and 3 feet, with a spread ranging from 1 to 1.5 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Greater masterwort need?
This plant performs best when situated in part shade, which helps protect it from harsh afternoon sun and aids in retaining necessary soil moisture.
Conclusion
The reliability and unique, star-like texture of Astrantia major ‘Ruby Cloud’ make it an indispensable perennial for dappled shade gardens that require consistently moist soil. This Greater masterwort provides long-lasting color and excellent structure for both borders and cutting arrangements. Successful cultivation hinges on ensuring adequate moisture; plan your planting locations carefully to match its preference for wet soil conditions while enjoying its medium-maintenance charm.
Companion Planting
When designing a cool, moist garden space featuring Astrantia major ‘Ruby Cloud’, pair it with other shade-loving plants that share its need for consistent moisture. Hostas with blue or variegated foliage provide an excellent contrast to the finely cut leaves of the Greater masterwort. Consider planting Astilbe nearby, as their feathery plumes bloom at similar times and require similar rich, damp soil. For groundcover beneath the canopy, use plants like Tiarella (Foamflower) which also appreciate woodland conditions.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring preparation for Astrantia major ‘Ruby Cloud’ involves cutting back old, dead basal foliage to make way for new growth emerging from the crown—this is the best time to amend the soil with aged compost. Summer care focuses almost entirely on hydration; use mulch to passively reduce water evaporation, and water deeply if the top layer of soil begins to feel dry. In autumn, cease heavy feeding, allowing the plant to begin hardening off, though the sturdy foliage often provides some residual winter interest for your Greater masterwort.
