It was last month that I bought two Astrantia Masterwort plants (light pink in the center, A. Major?) from the amazing Stonecrop Gardens in Cold Spring NY. These two plants are still in their pots, with some green leaves. I found a favorite spot in the front garden, with full sun, to plant them. I hesitated and delayed because some info sources stated that it needs part sun.
But now it is already cold here with the day time high in the 50s and night could be in the 30s. Is it too late to plant them? Should I keep them in the pots and in my garage until spring? (If so, shall I water them periodically still?) I am afraid that if I plant them now, the predicted "colder" winter and high pile of snow might harm them or destroy them, even if I would cover them with thick mulch and hay.
I am in zone 6a. Astrantia can survive in zone 5a. But I am unwilling to take the risk if it is kind of late in the season for planting.
---->> Answer from Horticulturist Todd Boland on Nov. 18, 2014
Astrantia are quite hardy…I’ve tried to kill them with no luck! (some are seeding everywhere in my garden). I grow mine in full sun but they are OK for part shade as well. I would plant them now. LOTS of snow is actually good insulation. I would be more concerned if there was a lack of snow with colder than normal temps.
This message was edited Nov 18, 2014 1:58 PM
