Aethusa cynapium

RHS Plant Profile
fool's parsley
fool's parsley visionspictures.com

Other common names

ass's parsley, dog parsley, dog poison, dog's parsley, false parsley, folly, fool's cicely, lesser hemlock, small hemlock, geuberllys

Synonyms

Aethusa cynapium var. pygmaea

Annual Biennial

An annual, or wintergreen biennial wildflower found in much of the British Isles and growing to around 80cm. Slender, branched, ribbed stems carry dark green, finely divided foliage and are topped with delicate umbels of small, white flowers in mid- to late summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Apiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy, Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
TOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. TOXIC to pets if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for useful contact numbers
Genus
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Tolerant of a wide range of conditions - naturally found in gardens, other cultivated ground, wasteland, roadsides and railway embankments

Propagation

Self-seeds prolifically

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free