When To Cut Back Astrantia?

Trim away spent flower stems after they have finished blooming to encourage more blooms in the following year. Leaf trimming can be done during the growing season to rejuvenate tired-looking foliage. The appearance of new, fresh foliage is expected to be noticeable soon. Over the winter, Astrantia will naturally die back.

Cutting Back on Astrantia

You can encourage new growth and a late crop of flowers by cutting back astrantias to the ground after they have finished blooming. Self-seeding astrantias aren’t widely dispersed, but they’re still common.

After flowering, Astrantias can be revitalized by cutting them back close to the ground. This results in the production of fresh new foliage and a late crop of flowers shortly after. Astrantias do not spread widely, but they produce seeds on their own.

Remove any old stems that have become woody and only leave the new foliage at ground level. After complete flowering, cut stems to the basal foliage and leave the foliage alone until spring.

Deadheading

Regularly, a deadhead appears. Keep an eye out for astrantia seeds, prolific self-seeders, and deadhead them frequently to keep them blooming longer. Alternatively, cut the flowers when they are still in bloom for a beautiful and long-lasting arrangement.

Deadhead to a lateral bud to promote rebloom. When the lateral buds have finished flowering, cut back to the basal foliage. Allow basal foliage to remain throughout the winter. In the spring, remove winter-damaged foliage.

Reduce the length of browning flower stems to encourage a second flush of flowers. Prevent self-seeding by deadheading before the seed ripens. In early spring, lift and divide. After division, it may take time for the roots to establish themselves, as they dislike being disturbed.

The second flush of flowers can be encouraged by snipping back after the first blooms. The plant can be cut to the ground after the first flush of flowers, usually in July, and this will encourage additional flowers.

If you want to prevent the plant from self-seeding, remove the spent flowers.

Leaving the flowers on the plant after they have finished blooming in the winter will give your garden an architectural flair. However, because they self-seed so prolifically, you may want to deadhead some of the flowers to keep them from taking over your entire garden.

Best Time to Prune Astrantia

November is the best time to prune faded flower stems to close to the ground. In addition, Astrantias are excellent cut flowers for growing under trees, along a stream bank, or on a moist garden border. Their preferred soil conditions are moist; however, they will tolerate dry soil conditions if the plants are adequately mulched. It is the extraordinary flower of the Astrantia major var. rosea, shaped like papery pink pincushions and blooms on short stems above rounded, lobed leaves that distinguish it from other species of Astrantia. It grows into a substantial clump, spreading by underground runners, and after flowering, it can be pruned back to the ground to produce a second flush of foliage and flowers in the spring.

What Happens to Astrantia During Winter Months?

During the growing season, Astrantias can be purchased in pots from nurseries and garden centers. You should use a short cane to mark the locations of the plants because the foliage dies off in the winter and leaves no traces above ground.

Care Tips to Astrantia

Well-watered Astrantia plants This summer, especially if your soil is more free-draining, adequate watering is critical. Plants grown in pots or containers need more water than plants grown in the ground.

Mulching

Soil moisture is conserved by mulching your plants with organic matter. Soil water loss increases as shade decreases. Annually replenish your organic mulch.

Mulch options include autumn leaves or leaf mold, compost, and well-rotted manure.

It is easy to grow Astrantia plants, provided the basic needs of moisture, soil, and environment are met. 

Deadheading

Deadheading is the main task to prevent self-seeding and extend the blooming period. To get more blooms over a longer period, deadhead regularly. Astrantia can flower again in a few weeks by removing the spent flowers.

Cut Astrantia in the summer to dry for indoor floral displays. They should dry well if hung upside down in a warm, dry place.

Pests and Illness

Like most plants, Astrantia is susceptible to fungi such as powdery mildews and slugs but not snails. Keeping plants moist and free of physiological stress will help reduce the likelihood of a problem occurring. Plants that aren’t in peak condition are more susceptible.

Foliar spores can be prevented from splashing back up onto the leaves of plants by properly mulching. So that the foliage doesn’t get wet when watering, water at the roots only. Avoid overcrowding and ensure good airflow around your plants.

The white coating on the leaves will show if this problem has occurred. In an organic garden, remove affected foliage as soon as possible to prevent fungal infection spread. Other interventions are usually unnecessary.

To combat milder infections, you can also make your fungicide and spray it on nearby leaves. Spray on leaves in the cool morning hours with a 5 percent apple cider. If fungi like powdery mildew are a persistent problem, you can use garlic or bicarbonate of soda solutions.

Fall is a good time to prune affected plants and dispose of or burn the foliage safely. Keep it away from your compost pile and other garden parts so it doesn’t spread.

If grown properly, Astrantia is a fantastic garden flowering plant. These perennials will bring you, the bees, and other insects year after year.