Astrantia or Masterwort
If we could choose only a handful of plants for our garden, Astrantia would be at the top of our list. There's something about her that's both elegant and cottage-like allowing easy transition into many different garden settings.
Palmately shaped foliage is coarse and deeply divided with ragged, serrated edges lending an interesting texture to the semi-shade garden. Flowers sit well above the basil foliage and are sometimes described as pincushion-like, but rest assured, she's so much more than that. Tiny clusters of nectar rich flowers are backed by light green and sit within a nest of pointed bracts that echo the color of the flowers they surround. Astrantia boasts an exceptionally long flowering period and can be found in shades of white, green, various shades of burgundy and purple.
She prefers a semi-shade location with consistently moist soils, but we've found she does quite well in some of the drier sites on our property. Varieties range from 24" to 30" tall and wide and are hardy from zone 4-7. Check each variety for hardiness). Makes an excellent, long lasting cut flower and dries very well.
Pair it up with Astilbes, Ferns and Epimediums for a sensation shade garden.
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Q: Dear Plant Girl,
I'd like to plant strawberries this spring. Are they difficult to grow? What advice can you give?
Jill-Warwick, NY
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A: Dear Jill,
Strawberries are one of summer's most delectable treats and they really aren't that difficult to grow if you follow a few simple instructions.
Choose Your Variety First
June bearing produce an early and plentiful crop and many runners that can then be rooted and planted in a new garden. You will remove flowers the first year and harvest the second. For more specific information log onto: http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1998/6-12-1998/newberries.html
Everbearing produce berries specifically in spring, summer and again in fall and produce a few runners. You will remove flowers until the end of June, and then allow fruit to set.
Day neutral berries produce berries all season and produce very few runners. You will remove flowers until the end of June, and then allow fruit to set.
Then Prepare The Bed
Choose a site that is well drained and in full sun then remove every last weed.
Strawberries need fertile soil so be sure to incorporate compost and well-rotted manure into the first 6-8" of soil.
Adding a slow release fertilizer like Pro-gro every spring will increase root development and plant vigor.
Now Plant Your Strawberries
Plant the crown at soil level and do so in spring as soon as soil is dry enough to be worked.
Strawberries should be planted 18-24 inches apart within the row with 3' between rows.
Dig planting holes so the entire root system can be accommodated vertically. You can trim excessive root systems to 4" before planting.
Snug soil up around plants and water in well. Plants need 1" of rain a week so provide moisture as needed. Mulch plants with straw to conserve moisture, keep fruit clean and eliminate weeds.
Remove flowers as they form for the first couple months to encourage vegetative growth.
Side dress plants with a mixture of worm castings and Pro-gro once per month during the growing season.
If growing in containers, use the best possible soil available to you and supplement with compost and Pro-gro.
Reap The Rewards
Pick berries as they ripen and enjoy a bountiful harvest!
Side Notes:
Everbearing and day neutral strawberries are the best choices for those with limited space as they produce very few runners and can easily be grown in containers.
Mulch plants with straw at a depth of 3" for winter protection. Remove straw as temps rise in spring.
12 properly managed plants can produce 7-15 quarts of berries.
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