Ammi majus
bishop's weed
- Position: Full sun or partial shade
- Soil: Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
- 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.
Stake plants as they start to shoot upwards with twiggy hazel stems for support.
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.