Chaerophyllum hirsutum

RHS Plant Profile
hairy chervil

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hairy chervil RHS

Synonyms

Chaerophyllum cicutaria

Herbaceous Perennial

An upright, clump-forming perennial with apple-scented, fern-like leaves and umbels of white flowers from late spring to mid-summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

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

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or North–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)
H7

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Apiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Chaerophyllum are tap-rooted perennials with fern-like, finely divided leaves and umbels of small white or pink flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a fertile, moist soil in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as ripe or in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews