I always think it’s funny how one plant appears in half the gardens of the country while another equally good, if not better plant, hardly gets a look in.

A case in point would be roses. They are everywhere. Yes I know some have a lovely scent but roses are also martyrs to black spot and they hate wind and rain.

My neighbour has the most wonderful rose bed with over 100 roses of all colours and this summer it has been devastated by the weather. And it’s been the same in my garden. Just as the second flush of roses appeared so too did Storm Ellen, quickly followed by Storm Francis.

Robust

However, when it comes to astrantias, the weather can do what it likes and they don’t care. The astrantia (also known as Hattie’s pincushion and masterwort) is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial that grows to about waist high.

It produces masses of long-lasting starry flowers, not once but twice in the season. To ensure this happens, cut back hard after the first flowers go over.

Astrantias like moist ground, but it shouldn’t be too wet. They grow best in dappled shade and, best of all, slugs and snails don’t bother them. They also self-seed so you will never go short. Astrantias don’t shout for attention and because of that are perfect for filling gaps in a flower bed. They also make for a good cut flower for the house.

Varieties

Alba is a lovely white variety that produces flowers from June to October, while Claret is deep red. With lots of other varieties, astrantias are the perfect stalwart for any garden.