Angelica

Angelica — variety description

Angelica (Angelica archangelica) is a biennial herb of the Carrot family (Apiaceae). Angelica is an impressive biennial with large stems emerging in the second year from leafy clumps and bearing flower umbels 15 cm across.

A centuries-old culinary and medicinal plant: the chopped leaves are added to salads, the stems are candied, and the roots and seeds are steeped for tea and more. Attracts many beneficial insects and pollinators.

Angelica tolerates shady areas, especially in a warmer climate. If you wish, remove the flowering stems straight after flowering to encourage their return the following spring; however, if left alone, it will self-seed in moist soils to bring years of enjoyment.

A most useful plant for attracting insects, providing pollen and nectar for many of them. All parts of the plant are used — mostly the roots, but also the stems, leaves and seeds.

Angelica whets the appetite, stimulates gastric secretion, improves intestinal peristalsis and in this way acts as a carminative.

Angelica (garden angelica) is an aromatic medicinal plant and an impressive ornamental plant with large umbels.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 74%
• Seeds per packet: 61–83 pcs (0.4 g)
• Seed origin: Poland
• Sowing: March and April; direct in autumn or with cold stratification
• Flowering: July and August
• Harvest: May – July
• Position: sun to partial shade

When to sow Angelica

Angelica seeds are sown in March and April. The plants flower in July and August. The crop is harvested from May to July. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Angelica

• Sowing method: direct in autumn or with cold stratification
• Depth: 0.5–1 cm
• Spacing: 30–40 cm
• Germination: 3–6 weeks; the seeds need cold
• Position: sun to partial shade

A biennial herbaceous plant. The leaves are two- or three-times pinnately divided. Flowers July – August. Sow indoors at a depth of 0.5 cm in moist seed compost. Propagate at 20°C. Germination is erratic; for best results use cold stratification. If germination has not occurred after 3 weeks, lower the temp. to 5°C for 2-3 weeks, then return to 20°C, where germination should occur after 14-28 days, but may take much longer. Plant in 8 cm pots until the seedlings have developed.

The seeds quickly lose viability and need cold; sow in autumn in a moist spot.

Harvest and use

The roots and leaves are harvested in the second year.

Frequently asked questions

When should Angelica be sown?

The recommended sowing months are March and April. Sowing method: direct in autumn or with cold stratification.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 61–83 seeds, pack size 0.4 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 74%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.