Angelica sylvestris aka Wild Angelica

Angelica sylvestris, or wild angelica, belongs to the Apiaceae family. It grows across Europe and parts of temperate Asia. It is native to Britain and Ireland. Wild plants grow in damp fields, hedges, and open woods. They also grow in marshes and fens. These habitats give useful clues to its needs in gardens.

This sturdy plant lives as a biennial or short-lived perennial. Its leaves die back for winter. Garden plants reach 5–8 feet [1.5–2.5 metres] tall. They spread about 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre] wide. They reach full size within one or two years. Stiff purple stems hold pale green, deeply divided leaves. Each leaf can reach 2 feet [0.6 metres] long. Small white or pink flowers form rounded umbels. They open from late summer into early autumn.

Give it deep, rich, moist loam and full sun. It also tolerates clay and a range of other conditions. Soil can drain well or remain poorly drained. Acid, neutral, and alkaline soils suit it in cultivation. Woodland edges with dappled shade offer another planting site. Avoid deep shade. RHS rates its hardiness H5; PFAF lists USDA zones 4–8. Sow fresh, ripe seeds in pots in a cold frame. Leave them uncovered, since light helps them sprout. Move seedlings while small, as older plants dislike root disturbance.

Its height and bold shape suit borders and informal gardens. RHS also suggests coastal sites, wildlife gardens, and cut flowers. Leave spent flower stems standing through winter, then cut them in spring. You can also remove them in autumn. Watch for aphids, leaf miners, slugs, and snails. Dry summers may bring powdery mildew. These pests and disease can affect plants despite their sturdy form.

PFAF records food uses for leaves, shoots, stems, seeds, and roots. Leaves and young growth add a bitter, aromatic taste to food. Cooks also use them as vegetables. Stems and leafstalks can be candied; seeds flavour baked sweets. Roots are eaten cooked. The plant also yields a yellow dye. PFAF records traditional medicinal uses, but warns that large doses can depress the central nervous system. Its furocoumarins can make skin more sensitive to sunlight and cause dermatitis. Food uses do not remove this handling risk.