How to Grow Great Angelica

If you wanted to ward off evil spirits and witches in ancient times, you would have used the herb angelica. Necklaces were made by peasants using the leaves of the plant. These were worn for protection. For long life, the juice of the roots was used to make a special drink. It is still used as an herbal remedy today and grown in many herb gardens. Here are some tips to help you grow angelica in your home garden.

There is a good chance that if you grow angelica in your garden, it will truly stand out. This is because it can grow up to 8 feet tall. The plant also has a close resemblance to celery. The stem is hollow and round and has a purplish color. The plant also has white or greenish flowers that are very small. Angelica is a biennial, or possibly a short-lived perennial. It does well in temperature zones 4 to 9.

This herb is native to the damp woodlands. So, plant your angelica in soil that is rich, moist, and well drained. There should be partial shade on that part of your garden, as well. You can plant the seeds in the ground in spring after the threat of frost has passed. But, do not cover them up. They need the light to germinate. Once the seedlings come up, they should be thinned to about 3 feet apart. Remember, they will get very tall if they have the room.

At the end of the growing season when the first frost hits, angelica will die back to the ground. The next year, there will be new shoots that can be harvest in early spring. If you let the seed heads of the angelica plants develop, then the plants will die. But, the seeds will sprout and you will have another crop of angelica. This plant should be harvested in the spring of the second year of growth.

Angelica can be used in many recipes. It has a slightly sweet flavor. The leaves can be used in green salads, fruit soups or meat stews. The stems look like celery and can also be cooked and eaten like celery. Use them as a side dish or add them to your favorite soup or stew. If you candy the stems, you can use them to decorate cakes, puddings, or tarts. Or, they are delicious eaten by themselves.

However you plan to use angelica, it is a wonderful plant to grow in your herb garden. It is self seeding, so you rarely have to worry about it coming back the next year. Hopefully, these tips will help you grow a great crop of angelica in your home garden.

SOURCE

Editors of Rodale Organic Gardening Magazine and Books. "Rodale Organic Gardening Basics: Herbs Volume 5". 2001. Pennsylvania, USA.