Myrrhis odorata 'Sweet Cicely'

[Ex. Co. Durham, England]

Apiaceae: Perennial growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in), hardy to zone 5, fragrant white, flat umbels flowering from May to June, native to grassy places, hedges and woods in hilly regions, often near human habitations, of mountainous regions of Europe, including Britain.

USES:

The sweet aniseed flavoured leaves are added to soups, stews, and wine. Can be used as a low-calorie sweetener and flavouring for stewed fruit, yogurt, and whipped cream. The roots are cooked as a vegetable and eaten in cold salads. The seeds can also be eaten raw in salads.

The whole plant, including the seeds, has aromatic, carminative, expectorant and stomachic properties. The root is antiseptic and a decoction has been used to treat snake and dog bites, also an ointment made from the roots has been used to ease gout and soothe wounds.

GROWING INFORMATION:

This seed is really best sown in early autumn to germinate the following spring, for me they germinate around April, and they germinate well. If you insist on sowing them in spring, give at least 2 - 4 months cold treatment, and best to freeze a few times during this, after which they should germinate in 1 - 3 months. It is an absolute myth that the seed is only viable a few weeks; it just goes into deep dormancy if not sown right off the plant, I've had high germination from seed one and two years old, and there reports of up to 3-year-old seed happily germinating.

Prefers a moist rich soil in a shady position, it will thrive in all soils, in sun or shade, Sweet cicely used to be widely cultivated as a food plant but is now it is only occasionally grown in the herb garden, shame since it is an extremely useful and tasty plant to grow and can provide food all year round.

HARVESTED: 8/2022*

 

APPROX. 50+ SEEDS