Crocus Astrantia major 'Claret'

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.