Also called false Queen Anne’s lace, bishop’s flower, and bullwort, this annual is native to parts of Europe and the Middle East. It is a member of the carrot family (Apiaceae) and resembles cow parsley. The leaves are pinnate and the small white flowers are carried in compound umbels up to five inches across. The flowers appear in summer over a long bloom time and are excellent for the vase lasting up to ten days. Plants can be raised from seed sown in fall or spring but seed sown in the fall gives rise to earlier bloom and bigger more prolific plants. Outstanding selections include ‘Queen of Africa” (3-4’ tall), ‘Snowflake’ (3′ tall, 2-3″ wide flowers), and ‘White Dill’ (whiter flowers than species). Take care when handling the plants because the sap from the stems can cause skin irritation.
Type: Annual
Size: 2-6’ H x 1’ W
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Average, moist, well-drained
Beneficial Insects Attracted: Parasitic wasps, minute pirate bugs, big-eyed bugs, syrphid flies