Ammi majus
bishop's weed
Delivery options
- Seed Packets (only) £2.95
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or general-purpose compost
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: June to September
- Hardiness: hardy annual
Dainty white flowerheads that look like lacework are born in summer and seem to hover in a frothy haze above the finely cut, green foliage. The flowers are often used by florists to add a ethereal, romantic feel to bouquets, and they can last up to 10 days after being cut. This annual also looks a delight in the garden, and has quite an architectural feel. Once the flowers have faded and the seeds have ripened, they will attract finches to the garden.
Pot up seedlings into larger pots with general purpose compost and plant out once all risk of frost has passed, preparing the planting area with plenty of organic matter. Ammi may need staking, particularly in more exposed positions. This can be done in the early stages of growth of this hardy annual by creating a supportive framework, ideally with natural materials for the plant to grow through, which is preferable to reactive staking. Avoid cutting back some of the flowers before they have had a chance to set seed if you want to
Fill trays with good quality compost and lightly cover the seeds. Water, and place in a cold frame or greenhouse. Pot on when they have put on their first true leaves and then harden off before planting out after the frosts have passed. Alternatively sow direct in late spring or early summer and thin out to 20-30cm as they grow. Seeds sown in autumn and overwintered in a cold frame, will produce bigger plants which will flower earlier in the year than those sown in spring.