Selinum carvifolium

RHS Plant Profile
Cambridge milk parsley

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Cambridge milk parsley visionspictures.com

Other common names

milk parsley, milkweed

Synonyms

Seseli carvifolia L.

Herbaceous Perennial
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A clump-forming perennial, to 1m high in flower, forming a dense mound of finely divided, feathery, slightly blue-green leaves. In summer, upright angled stems bear flat, lacy clusters of tiny star-shaped white flowers

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

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

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Apiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Selinum are tap-rooted herbaceous perennials with finely dissected leaves and large, flattened umbels of tiny flowers
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well drained soil in sun or part shade, tolerates a wide range of conditions

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown as soon as ripe; prick out into deep containers to avoid tap root damage. Propagate by division in early spring, taking care to minimise root disturbance

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead if seed is not required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews in dry conditions