This majestic plant is very showy at the moment. It grows at the top corner of the garden next to the washing line and is in full 'bloom' (green 'flowers').
I originally got it as a small plant from a herb nursery in Argyllshire years ago and brought a bit of it from CVD. It grows robustly every year; it appears to be a perrennial but that is because ... The Royal Horticultural Society states "It is more likely to be perennial if prevented from setting seed."
I bring big branches or sometimes just the heads in to enjoy in the house e.g. with some current flowers from the garden.
I did a test this year. There are always little plants that grow below the angelica plant but I never seem to get any baby angelica plants. What's going on?
The leaves are very similar as shown in photo above.
I have now got the answer: the seeded plants below the angelica (and also absolutely everywhere else in the garden) are ground elder. This is the little plant grown full size growing in amongst the lupins.
At the end of last year I cut the dried brown seed heads off and collected the seeds for this year. I tried germinating them but to no avail (mind you, nothing else did either!) I even scattered them around the garden ... nothing ... however plenty of ground elder!
Seedaholic.com states that angelica "is best known for its candied stems, used as a cake decoration. The stems and seeds for use in confectionery and flavouring and the preparation of liqueurs. (e.g. Chartreuse, Bénédictine, Vermouth and Dubonnet). Angelica seeds and angelica roots are sometimes used in making absinthe."
This is the same photo as above only made into an arty image (using 'cutout' from Photoshop). I think the colours would make a great fabric print.
A few days later: seeds dropping on to a sheet of paper.
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