Variegated Masterwort

‘Vanilla Gorilla’ is a variegated masterwort with broad creamy-white leaf margins and silvery-pink pincushion flowers. It forms a tidy, upright clump for part-shade borders, where the foliage adds interest before and after the summer bloom. ## Flowers and Garden Use Get Group, which identifies the cultivar as a selection of ‘Primadonna’ discovered by Brad Grover, describes blue-green, deeply lobed leaves with broad creamy margins and silvery-pink umbels in June and July. It reports a bushy, clump-forming habit and notes that cool weather may bring pink highlights into the variegation. The University of Wisconsin Extension guide describes Astrantia’s rounded, pincushion-like flower heads and suitability for close-viewing in borders and woodland gardens. [Get Group cultivar profile](https://www.getgroupinc.com/plant-name/Astrantia-major-Vanilla-Gorilla) · [University of Wisconsin Extension guide](https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/astrantia-astrantia-major/) ## Siting and Soil Grow in partial shade with fertile, humus-rich soil that stays evenly moist and drains freely. Astrantia can tolerate brighter sun if moisture remains steady, but hot, dry conditions can stress the foliage. [Get Group growing information](https://www.getgroupinc.com/plant-name/Astrantia-major-Vanilla-Gorilla) · [Wisconsin Extension cultivation guidance](https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/astrantia-astrantia-major/) ## Maintenance Water during dry periods and deadhead faded flower heads if you want to encourage another flush. Remove tired stems after flowering and divide established clumps in spring if needed. Keep the soil moist rather than waterlogged.