About
Smyrnium olusatrum, alexanders, is a vigorous, semi-evergreen biennial of the umbellifer family to 75�120 cm producing stout, hollow, grooved stems, bluntly toothed, ternately divided, dark-green leaves and flat-topped umbrella clusters of greenish-yellow, pungently scented flowers. A rewarding and historically important native umbelifer for a shaded or semi-shaded wild garden or heritage planting.
About the genus
Smyrnium are erect, branching biennials producing broadly oblong, divided lower leaves and rounded upper leaves with branched umbels of small, greenish-yellow flowers in late spring and early summer. Rewarding plants for a wild or informal garden.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeSand, Clay, Chalk, Loam
Soil pHNeutral, Acid, Alkaline
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toMediterranean
Care notes
CultivationBest grown in a free draining soil in full sun. Grows well in coastal areas
PruningNot required
PropagationPropagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free