Cachrys alpina

Cachrys alpina is a little-known plant that is interesting for the garden, especially in a dry, rocky, or even poor, very well-draining soil. Its light green feathery foliage, reminiscent of fennel or giant fennel, is very decorative, and its summer umbels, yellow and airy, provide a contrast next to denser flowering plants.  Perfectly hardy, this aromatic perennial grows well in fresh and fertile soil.

The genus Cachrys is represented by a few perennial species native to Europe and Asia, only one of which is truly interesting for the garden, Cachrys alpina. Related to carrot and celery, this herbaceous plant of the Apiaceae family, has become rare in nature, distributed in southern Europe (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy), as well as in Russia, Crimea, Bulgaria, and Romania.  It is mainly found growing on the edge of oak and pine forests, on limestone soil, along mountain streams, and in floodplains.

The plant forms a beautiful hemispherical tuft of foliage, about 70-80cm (28-32in) high and wide. Its finely divided leaves, tender green in colour, are slightly aromatic when crushed. Flowering takes place in July-August, in the form of umbels of tiny yellow flowers that give rise to green capsules, relatively large considering the size of the plant, rich in essential oil. This cold-resistant umbellifer disappears in winter to be reborn in spring.

Cachrys alpina is primarily a beautiful foliage plant, just like fennels or giant fennel. It can be used in rustic flower beds and rock gardens, where its light and round silhouette will enhance all flowerings. Valuable in a dry, sandy, or rocky garden, it will bring a touch of luxuriance to somewhat austere shrub beds, composed of lavender, rosemary, rockrose, thyme... In this usage, it can be associated with Ammi, ornamental carrot, and ornamental garlic bulbs, but also with annual Seafoam (Zeechium or Teloxys Aristata Seafoam). It is also a good candidate for fresh or dried bouquets.