About
Aethusa cynapium is a wildflower that can be classified as an annual or a wintergreen biennial. This species is prevalent throughout much of the British Isles, reaching heights of approximately 80 cm. The plant features slender, branching stems that are ribbed and adorned with finely dissected dark green leaves. During the middle to late summer, the stems produce clusters of small white flowers arranged in umbels.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Wildlife gardens
- Toxicity
- TOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. TOXIC to pets if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Tolerant of a wide range of conditions - naturally found in gardens, other cultivated ground, wasteland, roadsides and railway embankments
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Self-seeds prolifically
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free