Astrantia

willowplanter

I have four varities of Astrantias that all flower beautifly during the summer but by mid August their leaves have started to develop black spots and then the leaves turn yellow and die off totally leaving a large space in the border, Has anyone ideas as to why this happens and is there anything I can do to prevent it? Any help appreciated

coneastlanc

I have just bought 2 new astrantia. First time I have had them and I have got the exact same problem.  Can anyone help as it seems there was no answer to the above way back in 2011

LunarSea

I have two varieties which flower beautifully in late spring. After the flowers fade I chop them right back to just above the ground. I get new luxuriant growth (in years with enough rain) and maybe one or two more flowers in late summer.

Plantminded

Although the label on the plants I bought this year said to plant in sun or shade, I found the one in shade grew much better.  It could be location combined with our hot, dry summer causing an early move to decline and dormancy.

punkdoc

They are early summer flowerers, so it is not unusual for them to look bedraggled by late summer.
They do need lots of moisture and prefer a little shade.

Pete.8

I do the same as @LunarSea
Most astrantias set seed, so once the first flush of flowers have faded if you don't cut them off, the plant will set seed and close down for the rest of the year.
If you remove the flowers once they fade, the plants can't set seed, so it produces more flowers.

In addition I have A. Roma which is sterile (so never sets seed) that flowers for a much longer time.

Slow-worm

Mine are in light shade, I leave the heads on until they're dried and scatter the seeds. They go horribly yellow & brown, but then have a second flush of flowers, just coming out now.