Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous PerennialAnnual Biennial
Anthriscus sylvestris
cow parsley
A common British wild plant, flowering on hedge banks and roadsides in late spring and early summer with frothy white umbels composed of numerous small flowers
Other common names
cow weeddeil's meal
see morekeck
mock chervil
orchard weed
Queen Anne's lace
wild caraway
wild chervil
wild parsley
Synonyms
Cerefolium sylvestre
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Anthriscus can be annuals, biennials or perennials, with fern-like leaves and umbels of tiny white flowers
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Eurasia
How to grow
Cultivation
Grown in any well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. It is biennial or short-lived perennial
Propagation
Propagate by seed. Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn or spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
- Wildflower meadow
Pruning
Deadhead to prevent prolific self-seeding
Pests
Diseases
Powdery mildew may be a problem
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.