Astrantia

A hybrid between A. maxima and A. major with silvery-pink flowers that are cupped in the same colour bracts. 70cm

A compact plant with very rounded, dusky-pink flowers. 45cm.

Wine-coloured flowers on almost-black stems in mid-summer. 60cm

The moment you see it, you want it. Deep-maroon flowers, dusky foliage. Gorgeous. Divisions of the true form.

Palest pink flowers. For all the enthusiasm that there is for some of the newer, dark-flowered selections I don't think you can beat the delicacy of this one. 75cm

Ruby-red flowers on maroon stems. 60cm

You see some pretty miserable plants masquerading under this name. Ours is the real thing: a vigorous plant with big leaves and flowers 5cm wide with long, pinched bracts around the flowers, each one delicately tipped green. A great plant.

In the spring, the new leaves are variegated with splashes of creamy yellow. Its not something you would want in the bright light of midsummer (by which time the variegation has faded) but in spring its fresh and stimulating. The flowers are the same as the species.

Soft, dusky-pink flowers, much denser than those of Astrantia major. 60cm