One of my favorite plant combinations is Centranthus and Astrantia. These two perennials complement each other so naturally that at the peak of flowering, it’s impossible to look away.
In this border, the Astrantia was already growing — likely self-seeded rather than a named cultivar — and it blends beautifully with the soft pink blooms of Centranthus.
You can choose delicate pink varieties of Astrantia to add gentle color without creating strong contrast.
Pair a white Centranthus ruber ‘Albus’ with white or pink astrantia for a subtler, more refined effect. This combination is very flexible, allowing you to coordinate it with your garden’s overall color palette.
To add height and structure, I often include taller salvias, such as Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’. They give vertical interest and help frame the block, creating depth and rhythm.
How the Planting Works Throughout the Season
This combination unfolds beautifully over the season:
- In early June, Centranthus and Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ begin to bloom.
- By mid-June, astrantia joins in, softening the vertical lines and adding texture.
- By late June, the block is in full swing, with pollinators visiting constantly.
At the beginning of July, I trim the Centranthus and Salvia . Astrantia continues blooming until the end of the month, while Centranthus may still produce scattered, smaller flower heads throughout the summer.
I love that this planting block doesn’t fade all at once. In small borders, this continuity is especially important, as any gap in flowering is immediately noticeable. Astrantia acts as a bridge between early-flowering perennials and mid-summer bloomers, maintaining a seamless seasonal flow.
Nearby, Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Alba’ fills in, and as it grows, I trim the astrantia flower stems to let the next wave of plants take the spotlight.
By early August, Centranthus, Astrantia, and Salvia start blooming again. Although the second flowering is less abundant, it adds a charming, unexpected touch to the border.
Repeating and Extending the Planting
This block can be repeated along a border, alternating with later-blooming perennials to create rhythm and striking early-summer focal points. It’s a simple way to guide the eye and maintain interest throughout the season.
Keep in mind that Centranthus and Astrantia self-seed freely. In large gardens, this can be an advantage. Self-seeded astrantia may not exactly match the parent plant, but it often fits naturally into new borders. Centranthus, if left untrimmed, produces abundant seed — in England, it has even naturalized, thriving on roadsides, rocky slopes, and poor soils, showing just how resilient and adaptable it is.
Adapting the Planting to Your Garden
Always consider your garden’s specific conditions:
- On sunny, well-watered soil, Centranthus, Astrantia, and Salvia will thrive together beautifully.
- On poor, sandy, or dry soil with limited irrigation, keep Centranthus and Salvia, but skip Astrantia — it may struggle without water.
In such conditions, you can replace Astrantia with yarrow (Achillea millefolium).
To add movement and texture, plant Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’ in a mass, creating a soft, flowing effect.
For late-summer interest, introduce Origanum vulgare ‘Herrenhausen’ and Sedum in small groups.
This way, you create a beautiful, flowering block composed of drought-tolerant and reliable perennials that will perform well throughout the season.
This approach allows you to select plants suited to your site, letting them grow naturally without demanding constant maintenance.
I hope many of you already have Centranthus and Astrantia in your gardens, and perhaps this inspires you to plant them together in new borders.
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