2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Astrantia is translated from Latin as "opposite star". The name is associated with the structure of the inflorescences of a wonderful plant. Small flowers-stars, enclosed in a common cover of brightly colored dissected stipules. The people use another name - Zvezdovka. What properties does a culture have? We will get to know the habitats of the favorite of many gardeners
Distribution area
Astrantia grows wild in Asia Minor, Central and Southern Europe, the Caucasus, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova. Prefers forest edges, lawns, glades among mixed, coniferous-deciduous forest.
In many countries, Astrantia is listed in the Red Book as an endangered species. Introduced into culture at the end of the 16th century. Since then, it has experienced several peaks of popularity and complete oblivion.
Biological features
A perennial of herbaceous nature has a powerful rhizome, capable of extracting moisture from great depths. Stems are erect, 30-90 cm high, branching closer to the crown. Leaves are dark green, few in number, petiolate, basal, similar to fingers with deeply dissected 3-7 back ovoid lobes. There are small denticles along the edge.
The flowers are small stars, forming openwork umbrellas up to 5 cm in diameter. Around each of them is an overgrown stipule-sheath, painted to match the general background. Pink-red gamut of varying intensity prevails.
Differs in a prolonged flowering period from June to August. After 1, 5 months, the fruits of a two-seed of a dark brown color, elongated, are formed.
Favorite conditions
It grows equally well in open places, in light partial shade under trees and bushes. Flowering in sunny areas occurs earlier, the wrappers are painted in richer tones in some varieties.
Loves a fertile, loose substrate. Clay soils are ennobled with sand and peat. Poorly tolerates spring flooding, close location of groundwater. Rhizomes with this content can rot.
Astrantia is drought-resistant, frost-hardy in the Middle zone. Does not require winter shelter. It grows in one place for 8-10 years without loss of decorative effect.
Beautiful legends
People have long endowed beloved flowers with beautiful legends about their origin.
According to one of them, a bright star in the sky fell in love with a young man on earth. Without hesitation, she flew towards her happiness. Striking a hard surface, it shattered into many glittering shards. Over time, transformed into lace inflorescences of Astrantia, glowing in the night. The word "astro" means space.
The second legend tells of a brave girl who set out on a journey to find her lover. She managed to learn about his glorious death on the battlefield. On the way back, she got lost in a dark forest. The young man came to the rescue, throwing a handful of small stars from the sky, indicating the way to the house at night. The girl was able to return unharmed. Since then, flowers are often found at the edges of the forest.
Growing benefits
The revival of the popularity of starfish is associated with the advantages of the flower:
1. Rapid increase in the size of lush bushes.
2. Long-term growth in one place.
3. Loyal attitude towards neighbors. Does not aggressively occupy nearby territories. It remains a compact plant throughout its life.
4. Long bloom from June to late September. Some varieties are able to form repeated shoots with buds in late autumn.
5. Decorative all season. Even without umbrellas with stars, palm-leafed bushes look attractive.
6. Excellent honey plant.
7. Stands for a long time in the cut. Suitable for dry bouquets.
8. Possesses medicinal properties.
9. Not whimsical care.
10. Good winter hardiness in the middle lane.
You can endlessly list the advantages of Astrantia. Be sure to plant this wonderful plant on your site in order to admire the graceful starfall of inflorescences all summer.
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