Peucedanum japonicum Coastal Hog Fennel
20 seeds per packet.
A rarely grown, perennial species in the Apiaceae family that is native to the coastal areas and seashores of China, Japan and Korea. The seed is harvested from our plants, which were originally grown from seed from Korea. Produces thick, edible, glaucous foliage on purplish stems and umbels of white flowers in July to August. In early spring, Koreans eat the plant’s leaves as a cooked vegetable and use it medicinally. Leave the seed heads for winter interest. Flowering July to August. Height up to 100 cm. Will grow in sun or part shade in any garden soil as long as it is moisture retentive.
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS:
Sow upon receipt (best in autumn). Cover seed thinly, press in gently and keep top of compost from drying out. Keep pot outdoors or in cold frame over winter. Seeds germinate in spring.
Alternatively, if seeds can’t be sown in autumn use the following method: mix seeds with damp vermiculite and place inside a ziplock bag, keep bag somewhere warm for 3 weeks, then place in fridge (not freezer) for 8 weeks. Next spread mixture on top of a pot, thinly cover with compost or grit and keep warm at 15 to 20°C until germination, then move to somewhere cooler.
Carefully prick out seedlings when they have developed true leaves and are large enough to transplant to individual pots for growing on.