ASTRANTIA major. Masterwort. Europe (widespread). This is a most unusual perennial, belonging to the carrot family but quite distinct from other cultivated members of the family. It forms tight basal clumps with bright green, five-lobed leaves lying low to the ground. In summer and fall branched stems rise as high as 3' from the clumps, bearing many white or light green to deep pink flowers in dense heads. Beneath each head is a circle of narrow, colored bracts, giving the effect of little pincushions or snowflakes. ‘Rosensinfonie’ is a seed strain with particularly abundant, dark pink flower heads. These are beautiful plants for poolside or streamside plantings and shade gardens, delighting in moist spots with reasonably well drained, non-alkaline soil. Hardy to 0^oF or less.