Roma Masterwort (Astrantia major 'Roma')
ah-STRAN-tee-ah MAY-jor 'Roma'

Deciduous Perennial Upright, Clump-Forming in the Apiaceae Family
A patented, sterile-flowered selection of Great Masterwort bred in the Netherlands, with reddish-purple pincushion flowers ringed by silvery-pink bracts from late spring into summer.

'Roma' is a patented Astrantia major cultivar bred by Aad Geerlings in Hummelo, the Netherlands, selected in 1992 from a cross involving 'Ruby Wedding'. It forms an upright clump of deeply lobed, palmate green foliage topped from late spring into summer by domed, pincushion-like flowerheads: reddish-purple true flowers backed by an elegant ruff of white-to-light-pink papery bracts. As a patented cultivar it is sterile and produces no seed, so all new plants are propagated by division. Best in part shade with consistently moist, rich soil; struggles in hot, humid summers, so is best sited with afternoon shade in warmer climates.

Pros

  • Long bloom season, roughly four weeks on the plant, with sporadic rebloom
  • Excellent as a cut or dried flower
  • Deer resistant
  • Sterile — won't self-seed around the garden

Cons

  • Dislikes hot, humid summers; performs best where nights stay cool
  • Needs consistently moist soil and will decline if it dries out
  • Occasional slug damage in damp conditions
Highlights
  • Patented (US PP11470), bred by Aad Geerlings, 2000
  • Reddish-purple pincushion flowers with pale pink bracts
  • Sterile — long bloom, no unwanted seedlings
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 24 - 29 inches tall. 14 - 18 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium - Wet: Needs consistently moist soil; avoid letting it dry out, and expect it to struggle through hot, dry stretches.
Zones 4a - 7b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Attracts Bees, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, For a Shady Spot, Full Sun, Good for Borders, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Dried Flowers, Medium, Non-Allergenic, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Shade Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Loamy Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant, Woodland Garden
Bloom Period May to July
Flower Color Rose-Red, Silvery-Pink Bracts
Foliage Color Green
 

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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 05/04 - 09/20
2024 : 05/09 - 10/05
2023 : 04/13 - 07/22

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!