Chaerophyllum hirsutum 'Roseum'
You can find this lovely little lady in our Main Borders at Harlow Carr. This is a genus of some 35 species of tap-rooted or tuberous annuals, biennials and perennials. They are plants of meadows, hedgerows and open woodland in northern temperate regions.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Hairy chervil
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Height & spread
- 60cm (24in) x 30cm (12in)
- Form
- Upright hairy perennial
- Soil
- Moist fertile soil
- Aspect
- Sun or partial shade
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
Chaerophyllum
Chaerophyllum species are upright plants with attractive fern-like foliage and compound umbels (flowers that radiate from the top of a single stem and look like giant starbursts) of small white, pink or yellow flowers well suited to the wild garden or border.
It is a member of the Apiaceae family which also includes; cumin, parsley, anise, carrot, coriander/cilantro, dill, caraway, fennel, parsnip, celery and the highly toxic hemlock.
Chaerophyllum hirsutum 'Roseum'
From Spain and France to S.W. Russia, this is an upright hairy perennial producing 2- or 3- pinnate, apple scented mid-green, sometimes purple flushed leaves, 12 – 30cm (5-12in) long, with ovate to heart shaped, toothed leaflets.
Umbels of soft pink flowers 6cm (2 1/2in) across borne from late spring to midsummer.
Cultivation
- Grow in moist, fertile soil.
- Prefers sun or partial shade.
- Cut back tatty foliage to neaten it up and apply a generous layer of mulch around the roots in the autumn.
- Susceptible to damage from aphids, slugs and snails.
- Powdery mildew may be a problem in dry spells.
Propagation
- Can be grown from seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe or in early spring.