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This is one of the darkest-flowered astrantias with deep ruby red pincushion-like flowers with a ruff of longer bracts than many other varieties. The leaves are pretty too; deeply lobed and dark green.  Although it is an old cottage-garden favourite this astrantia works equally well in contemporary-style plantings. Use towards the front of a sunny yet moist border where the flower colour can be fully appreciated.

Astrantias have been cultivated in Britain since the 16th century and have numerous common names such as 'melancholy gentleman', 'Hattie's pincushion', and the more well-known 'masterwort'.

• Garden care: Astrantias do not like to dry out. Incorporate plenty of organic matter when planting and water well in dry weather especially newly established plants. Lift and divide large clumps in early spring and apply a generous 5-7 cm mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the plant. Divided specimens may take some time to establish since they don't like having their roots disturbed.