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Astrantias query

VegplotmummyVegplotmummy Posts: 96
in Plants
Hi all, I started sorting the front garden out since we moved in 6 months ago. I've found at least 8 astrantia plants... however they are all looking a bit sorry for themselves! Ive potted them up in the bid to save them. Can I cut them right back too? or by doing that would I be sealing their fate in the compost grave?! 
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  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    If they are not looking too good, how about cutting 4 of them back and leaving the other 4. Give them a bit of  TLC - I'm sure they will recover. 
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Astrantia will wilt if it is short of water so perhaps more water might be useful.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Forgot to say, keep them in the shade if possible.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • VegplotmummyVegplotmummy Posts: 96
    hogweed said:
    If they are not looking too good, how about cutting 4 of them back and leaving the other 4. Give them a bit of  TLC - I'm sure they will recover. 
    I've thought about doing that, might have to.
  • VegplotmummyVegplotmummy Posts: 96
    Lizzie27 said:
    Forgot to say, keep them in the shade if possible.
    Yeh I already have astrantia plants that I brought over from my previous house. I love them!. So they are always moist at the moment and in the shade, they wouldn't cope with the past 2 weeks of heat. I'm barely coping haha. 
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    When I planted Astrantia Major in one of my borders I had no idea what a thug it is. It seeds itself everywhere, choking smaller plants. I weed it out continuously and have decided to treat it the same as Alchemilla mollis, off with its heads as soon as the flowers fade to avoid more seed sowing. I love the flowers but hate its behaviour.
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    You must have perfect conditions, Joyce. I've got 3 or 4 and they've never self seeded
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    Total neglect, poor soil, rich soil, full sun.
  • janebuckingham71@yahoo.co.uk[email protected] Posts: 279
    It’ll be the rich soil it loves at Joyce’s!

    I too have Astrantias, love it but it’s collapsed in the heat as I have thin chalky soil. I’d love it to seed but never does and dries out every summer at some point. 

    Vegplotmummy-It will probably recover and be lovely next year, I’ve planted mine in batches next to some catmint (nepeta), peony and lady’s mantle and they look great together (umm...when it’s not wilting) 


  • VegplotmummyVegplotmummy Posts: 96
    Thanks all. Some of them have started to look a bit healthier, the larger ones anyway. Will leave them to it for now, see what happens. The previous owners did no gardening whatsoever. So I'm pleased I've managed to save quite alot of other plants so far.
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