I didn’t have the space to grow this herb where I used to live. I planted this angelica plant in May 2008 (see first photo) and watched in amazement as it grew and grew (mostly this spring) and turned into this huge beautiful architectural plant that is as tall as me! My favourite photo is the last one. I’ll be saving the seeds; there’s plenty of them as you can see. In theory I could have cut the flowering stem in the first few years to stop it going to seed but I was too intrigued to see what it would look like. It is a biennial so it will die off this year.
Anyone got any favourite uses for angelica root, seeds, stems?
Angelica planted out in May 2008
Angelica in March 2009
Look at that lovely fresh green growth
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I have always been a big fan of angelica. You said it quite well, that it’s so architectural. I’ll add in stately!
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Wow that is some Angelica. I thought mine was big! I like to candy the stems of angelica ready for Christmas and the trifles! Val
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Don’t worry about saving seed, Maddie, you will have angelica for ever more from now on. If you do want to try growing from seed, you need to sow almost as soon as they are ripe as they don’t keep. If you want to keep the plant for 3 years, cut off all the seed heads before they mature. Angelica is a warming medicinal plant with a special affiinity for women. You can use it for nasty respiratory conditions that won’t shift. The tea is disgusting - very bitter and aromatic. The root of the first year plant can be used to help with fibroid pain and to chew if you want to meditate on something which requires your attention.
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