How to grow angelica

What is angelica?

Angelica is a member of the carrot family, consisting mostly of biennials or short-lived perennials native

A native plant is one that originated or arrived naturally in a particular place without human involvement. In the British Isles, native plants are those that were here during the last ice age or have arrived unaided since.

to Europe and central Asia. Monocarpic species (that die after flowering), such as A. archangelica, can sometimes last another year if the flowers are removed just after flowering or before they set seed. 

There are approximately 100 species of angelica worldwide.

Choosing

Angelica makes a great addition to a large border to add height or to attract insects in an informal, cottage-style garden. They are all herbaceous but dead stems and seedheads can provide structure throughout the winter.

Angelica archangelica and A. edulis are widely grown for culinary use in cottage and herb gardens. A. archangelica has softer stems and leaves so is the preferred culinary plant choice. Stems need to be harvested when young and tender in late spring before flower stalks form. If you fancy having a go at making some candied stems you can follow a recipe here.

Angelica sylvestris  is suited to growing in wildflower

A term generally applied to non-woody, flowering plants that are natural to a particular area and grow there without human assistance. More accurately, British wildflowers normally applies to UK natives including plants introduced into the wild before 1500.

meadows on moist soil.

Angelica gigas  provides significant drama and architectural interest with dark red stems and striking, dome-shaped heads of rich, deep purple or plum-purple flowers in summer and early autumn.

Angelica sylvestris ‘Ebony’  isn’t as tall as other varieties, only reaching 75cm in height, but is grown for its very striking dark purple foliage and umbels of purple-pink flowers.

Buying

Angelica is widely available as seed, best bought as fresh as possible in autumn as it does not store well for long periods. Check dates on the back of seed packets.

Available online or in garden centres as young pot-grown plants in late winter/early spring, it is best transplanted

Moving a plant from one growing position to another, often from a pot to its final spot in the garden.

when small as plants dislike root disturbance.

Use our Find a Plant to help search for plants and suppliers.

Buying: mail order plants

Buying: garden centre plants

Plant as soon as possible after purchase, provided the ground is not frozen or waterlogged

Describes soil or potting compost that is saturated with water. The water displaces air from the spaces between soil particles and plant roots can literally drown, unless they are adapted to growing in waterlogged conditions. Waterlogging is common on poorly drained soil or when heavy soil is compacted.

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Choose a spot in sun or partial shade in moist but well-drained soil and fork in some well-rotted organic matter. Position plants 60-90cm apart and plant to the same depth as they are growing in their pot. Water in well and apply a 6-10cm layer of mulch

Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings.

on the soil around the plant, avoiding the foliage, to help with moisture retention. 

Angelica is not suitable for container growing as it likes to send down a deep tap root into the soil. 

How to grow annuals and biennials

Perennials: planting

Organic matter: how to use in the garden

Plants may require additional water during very dry spells of weather to ensure good stem growth.

There is no need to feed plants growing in the soil unless they are showing signs of nutrient deficiency. An application of well-rotted organic matter such as home-made compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.

in early spring will feed the plants as it rots down.

To avoid self-seeding in borders, remove seed heads before ripe. If you wish to collect the seed, after flowering has finished, cover the flower head with a bag to collect the ripe seed.

Applying a 6-10cm layer of mulch

Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings.

around plants when soil is moist in late winter/early spring will help with moisture retention on drier soils.

Watering

How to feed plants

Mulches and mulching

Cut back to the base after flowering. Biennial

Biennials are plants that complete their life cycle over the course of two years. In the first year, biennials typically produce leaves and roots but no flowers. In the second year, they flower and produce seeds before dying. Some common biennials include foxgloves Digitalis, honesty Lunaria annua and viper's bugloss Echium vulgare.

plants die after flowering, but if flowering is prevented or flowers are removed before setting seed they will often last for a second year.

Seeds do not store for long so it is best to sow when fresh. Sow fresh ripe seed on the surface of containers of peat-free seed compost

Seed compost is a free-draining compost formulated for germinating seed. It often contains a mix of fine materials including sterilised loam, coir, coarse sand or grit. It contains low levels of nutrients, as high levels could damage seedlings.

with 30 percent added horticultural sand to aid drainage. Do not cover the seed as they need light to germinate. Keep cool and moist in a cold frame

Cold frames are glaze box-like structures made from brick or wood with a  hinged or removable, glazed, sloping lid. Useful to protect plants from cold weather over winter or acclimatise (harden off) young plants in spring and provide extra warmth for tender crops in summer.

, unheated greenhouse or cool windowsill at 10-13°C. Germination

Germination is the process by which a seed develops into a new plant. It starts with the seed coat absorbing water, expanding and splitting, which allows oxygen and water into the seed so its food reserves can be broken down and used by the embryo for growth. The first root (called the radicle) pushes into the soil to anchor the new plant in place and start absorbing water and nutrients. The first shoot (called the plumule) then grows upwards, out of the soil, towards the light.

can take one to three months.

If using dried seed, it will need cold stratification before sowing. Put seed in a sealed container with damp compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.

and place in the fridge at 4°C for four to six weeks to mimic winter and break dormancy

Dormancy refers to a period of inactivity in plants, during which they slow down or stop their growth, conserving energy and resources. This is a natural process that helps them survive harsh conditions, such as winter or drought. Dormancy in seeds is a mechanism that prevents them germinating until environmental conditions are favourable for growth.

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As soon as true seed leaves appear, move seedlings

A seedling is a young plant grown from seed.

into deeper pots, as they form a deep tap root, and keep moist.

Transplant while small, after hardening off

Gradually acclimatising tender or indoor-raised plants to outdoor conditions, to toughen them up and prevent a check in growth. Place plants outside in a sheltered spot during the day then bring indoors at night for a couple of weeks. Or place in a coldframe, opening the lid during the day.

, as they dislike root disturbance. Plants will flower within two to three years.

Angelica will self-seed readily so you will find lots of seedlings popping up in the border. These can be moved when large enough to handle.

How to sow seeds outdoors

Hardening off tender plants

Seed: collecting and storing

Angelicas are generally trouble free but may occasionally have a few problems:

• Aphids
• Slugs and snails
• May be affected by Celery leaf mining fly
• Powdery mildew – in dry summers

If you are a member of the RHS, you can use our online Gardening Advice Service, via MyRHS, for any gardening problems or queries.