A long-time favourite of gardeners everywhere, Astrantia has sashayed back into the foreground of horticultural fashion recently, and when you take a look at varieties like the timelessly tasteful Astrantia 'Florence', it’s not hard to see why. Subtle rather than showy, the flowers feature a compact puff of tiny pale pink florets, set against light mint green, surrounded by a rosette of delicate bracts. Perennially popular with florists as a lush filler flower for their midsummer bouquets, you’ll want to make space for one or two extra plants – as you won’t be able to resist snipping a few stems!

In spring, this herbaceous treasure puts forth a mound of fresh green foliage – the deeply divided, palmate leaves have bags of interest of their own, making this a mainstay of mixed borders everywhere. Grow in dappled sunshine or shaded spots, in fertile and moist but well-drained conditions - and Astrantia major 'Florence' will return stronger and more beautiful each year, for a truly verdant display.