Star of Beauty Masterwort
Star of Beauty Masterwort
Wine-Rose Pincushion Flowers for Moist Shade
Star of Beauty Masterwort (Astrantia major 'Star of Beauty') charms with intricate, deep wine-rose, pincushion-like flowers ringed by papery bracts, on wiry stems above deeply lobed foliage. Blooming in summer, it draws bees and butterflies and makes a long-lasting fresh or dried cut flower. It thrives in cool, moist part shade. Deer-resistant and reliably hardy, it adds elegant texture to woodland borders in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Star of Beauty Masterwort Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Astrantia major 'Star of Beauty' |
| Mature Size | 18–24 in. tall, 15–20 in. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 4–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Part shade to full shade; full sun only with steady moisture |
| Bloom Time | Early to midsummer, with rebloom if cut back |
| Flower Color | Deep wine-rose |
| Soil | Moist, rich, well-drained; amend clay with compost |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to about -25°F once established |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed by deer or rabbits |
Landscape Uses in Minnesota
Cottage and woodland borders: Its intricate blooms add fine texture to moist, part-shade beds. Space 15–20 inches apart.
Cut-flower and pollinator gardens: Excellent fresh or dried, and a draw for bees. Pair with astilbe, hostas, and ferns.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September) into rich, moist soil. Keep moist through establishment.
How to Plant Star of Beauty Masterwort
Dig a hole twice the root ball width at the same depth, mixing in compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water well, and mulch 2 inches deep. Space 15–20 inches apart in a cool, moist spot.
Watering Star of Beauty Masterwort
First year: Keep evenly moist — water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Prefers consistent moisture; water during dry spells. Cut back after the first flush to encourage rebloom.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — hardy to about zone 4, returning each spring.
Q: Sun or shade?
It's happiest in part shade with steady moisture; it tolerates more sun only where soil stays reliably moist.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — deer and rabbits rarely bother masterwort.
Q: Can I dry the flowers?
Yes — the papery, long-lasting blooms are excellent in both fresh and dried arrangements.
You May Also Like
Star of Fire Masterwort (Astrantia major): A deep ruby-red masterwort.
Astilbe: Plumed flowers for layered moist-shade color.
Hosta: A bold-leaved shade companion.
How Many Star of Beauty Masterwort Do I Need?
Space masterwort about 18 inches apart so the clumps knit into a fine-textured drift in moist shade. It shines planted in groups of 3 to 5 toward the front or middle of a woodland border.
| Border run | Plants needed (18 in apart) |
|---|---|
| 5 ft | 3 plants |
| 10 ft | 7 plants |
| 15 ft | 10 plants |
| 20 ft | 13 plants |
Star of Beauty Masterwort Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Deeply lobed, palm-shaped green leaves unfurl into a tidy clump that fills shady ground.
- Summer: Wiry stems lift intricate, wine-rose pincushion flowers ringed in papery bracts above the foliage, drawing bees and butterflies; cut back after the first flush for rebloom.
- Fall: A lighter second show is possible if deadheaded; foliage holds its texture as the season cools.
- Winter: The plant dies back to the ground and overwinters as a hardy crown, reliably returning each spring.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Shade-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Star of Fire Masterwort — its ruby-red sibling for a two-tone masterwort drift.
- Montgomery Astilbe — red plumes that echo the masterwort's tones in the same moist shade.
- Japanese Painted Fern — silvery fronds that set off the fine flowers.
- Jack Frost Brunnera — frosted heart-shaped leaves for a cool woodland carpet.
Is Star of Beauty Masterwort Right for Your Yard?
It's at its best in part to full shade with cool, rich, consistently moist (but well-drained) soil — a north-facing bed, a spot under high-branched trees, or a moist woodland border. Not a fit for hot, dry, full-sun spots where the soil bakes; masterwort sulks and scorches without steady moisture and shade.