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Annual BiennialHerbs - Culinary

Petroselinum crispum

parsley

A hairless, clump-forming, bushy biennial herb with rich-green, crisped, triangular, 2- to 3-pinnate, aromatic leaves. The leaves are divided into segments, each to 3cm long. In summer of the second year, bears small yellow-green, star-shaped flowers in umbels 4cm across. Parsley is a popular culinary herb

Other common names
devil-and-back-ten-times
garden parsley
see moreherb of death
herb Venus
ache
Synonyms
Petroselinum sativum
Carum petroselinum
see morePetroselinum hortense

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green Yellow Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Apiaceae
Native to the UK
Yes
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Petroselinum are aromatic biennials with broad, pinnate to 3-pinnate leaves and compound umbels of small white or pale green flowers

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist, but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Normally grown as an annual it can be overwintered although leaves become coarser in the second year. Follow parsley cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in situ, in succession from late spring through summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
Pruning

Remove flowers unless wanted for seed

Pests

May be susceptible to carrot fly, aphids and celery leaf miner

Diseases

May be susceptible to a leaf spot and a virus

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