Chaerophyllum azoricum
30 seeds per packet.
A rather remarkable hardy umbellifer, which we would grow for its foliage alone! Native to the Azores and rarely seen in cultivation, it forms strong clumps of extremely attractive, large, bright green foliage (which is softly hairy and divided) and white umbels held on erect stems in summer. Excellent plant for insects. Height 70 cm. Moisture retentive, humus rich soil in sun or part shade. Fully hardy.
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.