Astrantia

I love Astrantia, it grew fine in my old garden but I planted a few in this new place and they haven't come through. Any special care needed to encourage them?

 

First thing I'd consider is soil, is it sufficiently moisture-retentive and is it draining well? I grow mine in heavy clay and the lightest soil they will handle is loam, I think. I've read that slugs can be an issue but my A. 'Roma' hasn't even been nibbled by them.

Nick

 

Sounds as tho it could possibly have been the plants that were the issue. I grow lots both white and “ red”. They self seed readily and are growing in poor soil. Your and my climate will be similar so I would try again

 

Not a slug problem in that part of the garden Nikolaos, maybe I should add something to the soil? It seems very light and grey, not rich and brown at all.

 

Got them from Farmer Gracey Hailbop - so maybe they were too delicate and fancy to cope with Scotland

 

Mine are growing in pretty much subsoil, they really do not need a rich growing medium. That said I doubt any plants take kindly to growing in say builders rubble. If other plants in the same area are struggling then maybe you will need to sort the soil.

 

Buy yourself a packet of seed. Really easy and quick to increase.

 

Maybe garden compost if you have any or know anyone who makes it? MPC would probably be too light for astrantias.

Nick