![Dark pink astrantias in a border with hostas Dark pink astrantias in a border with hostas](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/10/2018/02/a7d204bc-f3ab-4acd-95c2-56bd7ced0664-dd3265e.jpg?quality=90&resize=940,627)
Three tips for growing astrantias
Check out these expert tips on how to grow gorgeous, shade-loving astrantias.
Astrantias (also known as Hattie's pincushion or masterwort) are summer-flowering perennials for mixed beds or borders.
With their starry, convex flower heads, astrantias are similar to sun-loving plants such as scabious and sea thrift, but most varieties of astrantia are shade-loving plants. Discover 10 varieties of astrantia to grow.
As an added bonus, they're resistant to attacks from slugs and snails.
Astrantias are easy to grow – just follow a few basic rules. Here are our three top tips for growing astrantias.
Plant in moist soil
Planting astrantias in the right soil is a crucial first step. Moisture-retentive, humus-rich soil is best – light, sandy soils won't retain enough moisture. Clay soils are also suitable, as long as they don't bake dry in hot weather.
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Plant in dappled shade
Generally, astrantias prefer sites with dappled shade, for example under trees or around shrubs in a moist border. Darker varieties, such as 'Hadspen Blood', will perform better in a sunnier spot, so do check before choosing.
![Astrantia Hadspen Blood Astrantia Hadspen Blood](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/10/2018/02/5da5e9b5-f6c4-4e11-b55a-af65fe02a548-ba0d289.jpg?quality=90&fit=700,466)
Deadhead regularly
Astrantias are prolific self-seeders, so be sure to regularly deadhead if you want to avoid this and to encourage further flowering. Alternatively, snip off the flowers before they finish for an attractive and long-lived cut flower display.
![Astrantia flowers Astrantia flowers](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/10/2018/02/d4afcbd1-c0b2-4788-9e45-760f1feb49f0-6c71ade.jpg?quality=90&fit=700,466)
Thanks to Caroline Samuel from Letham Plants, who provided information on the plants in this feature.
![White astrantias with elder and lysimachias White astrantias with elder and lysimachias](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/10/2018/02/2f587703-84cf-4e1f-81bf-47b440515770-6c71ade.jpg?quality=90&fit=700,466)
Plants to combine with astrantias
- Dryopteris
- Gillenia trifoliata
- Thalictrums
- Persicaria amplexicaulis
- Lysimachia atropurpurea
- Melica altissima
- Geums
- Salvias
- Sambucus nigra
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