May 16, 2025

Sweet Cicely - the ebullient understudy

At a time of year when the country lanes and roadside verges are burgeoning with fecundity it's nice to bring a little bit of that same natural ambience into the garden borders. Cow parsley is currently playing the lead role in the lanes and a suitable frothy and ebullient understudy has to be Sweet cicely.

Going by the botanical name of Myrrhis odorata, Cicely is a tall herbaceous perennial with aniseed scented leaves that can be used in fruit tarts and ice cream. At her peak now she displays a dense swathe of white, elderflower-like flower heads over beautiful filigree leaves. But her story doesn’t end there. When the flowers are over, attractive black fluted seed heads remain a feature for some months. Gardeners with time on their hands may choose to remove these seeds due to her becoming a little enthusiastic and attempting to become the lead player as well as the chorus, spreading her charms throughout the border. Cut to the ground she’ll throw up a perfect mound of fine foliage that will take her right through to the autumn.

We wouldn't be without her. A great gap filler for those with large gardens and a quick grower for those with a new garden wanting to be filled, Sweet Cicely can be the perfect choice. Whether propagated by seed or purchased as a young plant it won't be long before the flowers bring a relaxed rural feel to the middle of your borders.