Smyrnium perfoliatum
perfoliate alexanders
An attractive addition to the woodland edge or mixed border, this upright biennial puts on a showy display that will liven up the garden in late spring and early summer. Its stout stems are clothed in leaves, rich green towards the base, but sulphur yellow nearer the top. It flowers in its second year, producing rounded clusters of tiny yellowish-green stars - similar in colour to the uppermost leaves. It makes a very handsome foil for rich plums and purples and also looks great when cut and added to a vase.
How to care for Smyrnium perfoliatum:
Sow the seed where it is to grow in autumn or late spring. Alternatively, sow in trays placed in a cold frame in spring and transplant when large enough to handle. The seeds do require a cold period before they germinate, so spring-sown seed in trays should be watered, then kept in the bottom of the fridge for 4 and 12 weeks. Germination can be slow, but they are worth waiting for, and once they start to grow they are easy and undemanding plants, which if happy, will self-seed and form generous swathes. For this reason, it is currently illegal to plant, or cause it to grow, in the wild.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
1.2m
Eventual spread:
0.6m
Position:
Full sun / light shade
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
approx 20 seeds
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