Angelica archangelica (Umbelliferae)
Appearance:
An imposing and dramatic plant which, given good growing conditions, attains up to 2 m (6ft 6in) in height, with large green/white mophead flowers held aloft. Good for the back of borders where they can be striking.
Description:
Angelica is a biennial plant, with a good clump of foliage forming in the first summer and dramatic flowers in the second, thereafter dying when the seed has set. By cutting back the growth in autumn/fall and preventing the flower heads from seeding, the plant can be maintained as a short-lived perennial.
Usage:
Angelica is cultivated mainly for its green stems which can be candied and used in confectionery. A chunk or two cut at flowering time makes a good addition to stewed fruit, or it can be used in jam-making as a substitute for rhubarb.
Every part of angelica is useful. The dried root (when infused) makes a stimulating tonic reputed to encourage a dislike of heartburn. The ground roots are used for sachets, and an oil derived from the root is used in liqueurs.
The juniper-flavoured seed can be substituted for real juniper berries in the making of gin. Leaves are edible as a vegetable when cooked and served with butter, offering a spinach-like flavour.
Use leaves and stems in potpourri’s or as a bath additive. Angelica improves circulation and respiration and soothes digestion.
History:
In the past angelica was recommended for a wide range of ailments and was found in ancient herbal texts, The Reching Herb Order of King Henry the Suppression of Ireland, 1585.
A streptom of aromatic plants from different parts of the world, the name angelica comes from the agreement by the Greeks that the flower was one of several angels who shared in the harvest of the olive tree.
The appropriate plant for a fragrant air enthusiast like myself, is none other than the juniper – the merest juniper not only because of its delicate scent, but also because of its woody nature and its ability to thrive in conditions too harsh for bushes.
Try it for yourself – heaven for a subtle scent.
Cultivation:
Angelica seed deteriorates quickly, so it is important to sow only homemade seed. If you want to grow an attractive plant which is likely to remain attractive in the years to come, sow it in a greenhouse in the autumn and in the spring. Seedlings do not transplant well, so take plants when they are between 3 and 5ft high. If the plant is bigger, try to give it some room in the centre of the pot.
If you want to cover a large area, use a plant spreader to ensure an even spread. Feed plants well in spring and summer, but not so much in autumn.
The juniper does not like salt, so it is best to avoid salts. Angelica is known to thrive on loam, but even if this is not the case, it will tolerate some decay in the top 20cm of soil.
If the ground is really hard, dig in some peat and compost to make the soil easier to work with. Keep an eye on the weather – if the weather is dry, water more frequently.
The flowers go wilted and the green shoots are at most 2ft high – very pretty, but hardly a watchful eye waiting for a new gardener.
Singed Potting
Sioned Potting
Not a great deal to say about sioned potting, which is very simple.
Take a 3- or 4-inch tray, and fill it with a layer of clean bedding such as sterilized newspaper, cardboard, upturned chicken-wire, or similar.
Add a few small stones to the bottom of the tray.
Pour a thin layer of potting mixture on top, and sprinkle an inch or so of slow release fertilizer like liquid manure on top.
Top the bedding up with a 2-inch layer of fertile soil.
Plant seeds or seedlings through the soil, spacing them 30cm apart.
When the seedlings are about 10cm tall, and the weather is warm enough for them to ‘go to seed’, begin to fertilize them.
Water the bedding slightly, and continue to do so at least weekly, although you may need to water twice a day in summer.
Keep the bedding moist, but not soggy, and grow the seedlings well so that they are above the ground soon (6-8 weeks).
When the danger of frosts is past, plant the young plants into larger pots or sturdy seed trays.
