Ammi visnaga Casablanca - seeds

Ammi visnaga 'Casablanca', derived from an Egyptian medicinal plant known as Khella, has been selected for cut flowers. It is a highly aromatic annual plant that forms a tall clump and produces many large, white, round, finely structured umbels on fennel-like foliage. They are loved by pollinating insects. It is well adapted to the Mediterranean climate, but easy to acclimatise anywhere. Ideal in natural areas, country gardens or in the herb garden, it self-seeds spontaneously in light soil.

Ammi visnaga 'Casablanca' belongs to the Apiaceae family, formerly known as the Umbelliferae, just like carrots and celery. This annual plant is native to the Mediterranean region. It is also found massively in North Africa. Like the Damask Nigella, this annual plant adapts its life cycle to the climate: in the Mediterranean climate, it germinates in autumn, blooms and forms its seeds in spring, then dies in summer. Further north, it germinates in spring, blooms in summer and dies in autumn. The 'Casablanca' variety forms a clump 1.20 m tall, about 60 cm in diameter, in a matter of weeks. It has a taproot. Its stems are branching, robust, furrowed at the top and entirely covered with finely cut light green foliage. The leaves, similar to those of fennel, are hollowed out with small channels, lacy and highly aromatic. Flowering occurs 12 to 14 weeks after sowing. The unbranched floral stems bear a white umbel 10-11 cm wide at their tip, curiously constructed, with a powerful and pleasant green, herbaceous, slightly pungent and slightly aniseed fragrance. The umbel becomes concave and more or less green at maturity. It consists of very dense umbellules (mini umbels) composed of numerous thick and touching ray florets after flowering, on a receptacle that widens into a disc at maturity. The flowers are white, evolving into cream, acid green and yellowish green with age and ripening. They produce abundant nectar, attracting many insects.

Known since ancient times for its numerous medicinal properties, this wild plant demonstrates great robustness and a strong personality, through sight and smell. Invite this beautiful 'Casablanca' variety into country gardens, in slightly wild areas of the garden, where it will require no special care. It is one of those plants that grow on their own, like Damask Nigellas, Cosmos, perennial flax, California poppies, 'Blue Foam' phacelia, sainfoin, centaureas among others. Along with the latter, it is an ideal plant to fill a new garden or hide the damage caused by a harsh winter. In a vase, combine it with yarrows and dahlias for example.