Astrantia Red Button

Astrantia Red Button, commonly known as Masterwort, is a compact perennial with soft red to rose red flowers and a natural, cottage garden look. The flowers have the classic Masterwort shape, with tiny pincushion centers surrounded by papery bracts that look like little buttons. It is detailed up close, but in the garden it gives a soft, colorful haze that blends beautifully with other perennials. This variety is a lovely choice for gardeners who want color without anything too loud. The red toned blooms sit above fresh green foliage on slender stems, adding movement and texture to sunny borders, part shade gardens, woodland edges, and pollinator plantings. It looks especially good planted in groups, where the button shaped flowers can create a light, airy effect through the border. Astrantia Red Button grows best in full sun to partial shade, with the strongest performance in moist, well drained soil. In warmer parts of the USA, afternoon shade is helpful, especially during hot dry weather. Like other Astrantias, it does not like to dry out for long periods, so steady moisture will give the best flower display. Astrantias grow well in sun or light shade, prefer fertile soil that drains easily, and can struggle in very dry or very wet conditions. This Masterwort is also useful as a cut flower. The blooms have a delicate, old world look in fresh arrangements and can also be dried. Bees and other pollinators are drawn to Astrantia flowers, making Red Button a good choice for wildlife friendly gardens as well as more formal perennial borders. Astrantia flowers are pincushion like blooms surrounded by papery bracts, with flowers visited by bees, flies, beetles, and other insects. Astrantia Red Button pairs beautifully with peonies, alliums, salvia, catmint, campanula, ferns, hostas, astilbe, and ornamental grasses. It brings texture, color, and a softer rhythm to the garden, especially in plantings that are meant to feel layered and natural.  

Astrantia Red Button is a hardy perennial commonly known as Masterwort. Its botanical name is usually listed as Astrantia major Red Button. It produces rose red flowers from late spring into summer, with one European grower listing the bloom season from June through September. Plants reach about 28 inches tall, and grow best in full sun to partial shade. Astrantia Red Button prefers soil with average to steady moisture and good drainage. It is a strong choice for cottage gardens, mixed perennial borders, pollinator gardens, woodland edges, and cut flower plantings.