Monches Farm, LLC
5890 Monches Road
Colgate, Wisconsin
phone: 262-966-2787
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Blooming This Week (May
27th): Myrrhis odorata (Sweet Cicely) |
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Herbs for the shade garden are a bit hard to come by, but Myrrhis is a star performer in that category. Its attributes are many - lacy fern like vibrant green foliage and flat topped white flower clusters that are so reminiscent of Queen-Anne's-Lace as to be startling in a shaded setting. Myrrhis thrives in moist deciduous shade and is a great companion plant for Hosta, due to its contrasting foliage texture and distinctive flowers. It can reach 36"-48" in height in ideal growing conditions. In moist conditions the foliage will remain green all season but in drier shaded sites it will go into dormancy in mid to late summer. If allowed to go to seed it will self sow pleasantly. The leaves can be used fresh as seasoning in salads and other dishes and the dried seeds impart a crunchy licorice sweetness to baked goods. All parts of the plant emit an anise or licorice scent when crushed, pleasant to us but a definite turn-off to deer & rabbits, who will leave this plant strictly alone. Hardy to Zone 4. |