The great starthistle - a delicate bee favourite for your garden
The great starthistle (lat. Astrantia major) belongs to the umbellifer family. The adaptable plant grows herbaceously and in clumps and reaches a height of 40 to 50 centimetres. Its leaves are palmately lobed with a gesägte edge. The flowering season begins in June and lasts until August. Then the starthistle shows its full splendour with lovely flowers ranging in colour from plain white to reddish tones. The many small individual flowers are arranged in hemispherical umbels that are framed by hollows. At first glance, this gives the impression of a single large flower.
Natural occurrences of starthistle include sparse forests in Central and Eastern Europe. The hardy perennial prefers a loose, humus-rich soil that is moderately moist. Astrantia major thrives optimally in sunny or semi-shady locations.
Ideal perennial for your insect-friendly garden
This shapely plant can be used in many ways in the design of your garden. In an attractive perennial bed, the knee-high starthistle harmonises very well with cranesbill, women's mantle or flame flower
Due to its preference for moist soil, you can use Astrantia major in waters to add a touch of romance to pond banks and streamsides. Since the robust perennial tolerates semi-shady locations very well, you can also use it wonderfully for decorative underplanting around the edges of deciduous shrubs.
The flowers of the great starthistle are not only a beautiful eye-catcher in any garden, but also provide a benefit for the local insect world: Bumblebees, bees and butterflies like to seek out the pretty flowers, so you should definitely buy starthistle if you want to create a bee pasture.
Also versatile as a cut flower
The great starflower cuts a good figure as a cut flower and is characterised by good durability. As its stems are branched, Astrantia major can be used to fill up flowerbeds. In combination with roses, its naturalness creates a charming contrast. As part of a romantic table decoration, the Startholde is convincing both on its own and in combination with other plants.
Buy Startholder
For one square metre you will need about fünf plants.
The plants are grown in pots and can therefore be planted all year round.
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