When should I sow seed of Astrantia major?

My book says to sow seed in late summer or spring in a cold frame - it also says that named varieties do not come true from seed, so what you get may not be the same as the plants you took the seed from.

Your book seems to answer the question in a much more straightforward way than my previous research! Thanks Bamboo - I'll give it a go in an unheated greenhouse now and through the Winter and just see what comes up. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

I'm with you there - its always worth a shot;-)

True, some times they will germinate this year is sown fresh, or sometimes they will need to overwinter outside and get frosted to break dormancy and they will come up next spring

I sowed some seed last autumn which germinated in the spring, but I sowed some more at the beginning of this month, fresh seed straight from the plant, left outside in the coldframe, and I can already see seedlings :)

Thanks everyone. Some seed now sown in trays and in the greenhouse. Some sown direct into the ground. Fingers crossed.