About

Selinum wallichianum is a flowering member of the Apiaceae noted for producing large umbels of many tiny white flowers from July to September. It is cultivated under the name Selinum wallichianum while placed botanically in the genus Ligusticopsis. The flowers form a broad, cloud-like display above finely divided basal leaves. The plant is grown as a garden ornamental for its mid- to late-summer blooms.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Ligusticopsis wallichiana

About the genus

Ligusticopsis is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Apiaceae.

Wikipedia contributors, "Ligusticopsis", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Ligusticopsis

In the garden

Selinum wallichianum belongs to the Apiaceae and is encountered in cultivation under its traditional horticultural name, while taxonomists place it in the genus Ligusticopsis. The species is valued for its large compound umbels made up of numerous small white flowers, which appear from July to September and create a soft, late-summer presence in the border. Plants handled by experienced gardeners are commonly used where a tall, airy floral structure is desirable. In cultivation it has a perennial habit with a persistent rootstock; many gardeners allow clumps to establish before lifting or dividing. Exact site requirements vary among sources, so match soil and exposure to local conditions and the planting’s intended role rather than relying on a single rule of thumb. Where to use it in a UK garden depends on the desired visual effect: groups of plants give a cloud of white that reads at a distance, while single specimens can punctuate a mixed border. The fine-textured basal leaves form a subtle foundation for the umbels, and planting in multiples emphasises the species’ late-summer impact.