Astrantia - Sunningdale Variegated
Best choice for gardeners looking to brighten up shady, moist spaces.
Enhance your shady garden with Astrantia 'Sunningdale Variegated', a perennial known for its elegant, ivory-variegated foliage and prolific blooms. From early summer to fall, it produces luxurious, creamy-white blossoms with ruby hearts, attracting butterflies and providing excellent material for cut flowers. This plant thrives in moist, shady soils, making it ideal for woodland settings and offering year-round visual interest. Supplied as a bare root, it is suitable for Zones 4-7 and brings beauty and beneficial activity to your garden.
$12.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
1570
/ 3183
#1570 in Plant & Flower Bulbs
Price vs Category Average
-45%
Below average
Height
1224
/ – inches
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking year-round foliage interest
- Eco-conscious growers managing deer-prone landscapes
- Floral enthusiasts wanting long-lasting cut flowers
Who should skip it
- Gardeners in hot, dry, or sunny climates
- Growers unwilling to manage slug and snail populations
- Busy gardeners preferring low-maintenance plant varieties
Performance breakdown
Shade Tolerance
Perfect for brightening up those difficult, low-light woodland garden corners.
Foliage Appeal
Striking ivory variegation provides visual interest long before the blooms appear.
Pollinator Magnetism
Reliably draws butterflies to your garden throughout the long summer season.
Floral Utility
Unique ruby-hearted blossoms make for sophisticated and long-lasting cut flower arrangements.
Establishment Ease
Requires consistent moisture to thrive, demanding a bit more attention initially.
Seasonal Longevity
Offers an impressive bloom window stretching from early summer into fall.
Key Specs
Height
12 – 24 inches
Spread
12 – 18 inches
USDA Hardiness Zones
4-7
Sunlight Requirement
Partial Sun
Water Requirement
Moderate
Planting Depth
Crown 1/2" below soil line
SKU
10549-01
Includes
1 bare root Astrantia
Features
- Variegated foliage for year-round interest
- Blooms from early summer to fall
- Attracts butterflies to your garden
- Excellent for cut flower arrangements
- Thrives in shady, moist garden conditions
- Ideal for woodland and naturalized settings
- Adds elegant color and texture
What customers say
Customer sentiment centers on the plant's stunning aesthetic appeal, particularly the striking, creamy white variegation that brightens shaded areas. This unique foliage is frequently cited as the primary reason for purchase. A key theme is the need for patience, as many buyers note the slow establishment rate, advising that the plant requires a full season to reach its full potential. While the initial investment is premium priced, established owners agree the mature beauty and reliable performance fully justify the cost. Plants generally arrive healthy, supporting the overall positive view of a high value, high reward perennial for the discerning gardener.
Know before you buy
A bare root plant is shipped in a dormant state without soil around its roots. This allows the plant to establish itself directly into your garden soil, often resulting in faster growth once the growing season begins.
This variety thrives in partial sun, meaning it prefers dappled light or morning sun with afternoon shade. It is an excellent choice for woodland settings where it can avoid the harsh, direct intensity of midday sun.
Astrantia 'Sunningdale Variegated' is a hardy perennial suitable for USDA Zones 4-7. As long as you are within these zones, the plant is designed to go dormant in the winter and return each spring.
You should plant the crown of the bare root approximately 1/2 inch below the soil line. Planting too deep can hinder growth, while planting too shallow may expose the roots to drying out.
Yes, Astrantia makes an excellent cut flower. Their unique, creamy-white blossoms with ruby hearts add elegant texture and color to bouquets, and they hold up well once cut.
Maintenance is relatively low, provided you keep the soil consistently moist. Because they thrive in damp conditions, they are perfect for areas of the garden that naturally retain water.
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Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
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$13