Cenolophium denudatum

Cenolophium denudatum is an astonishing perennial belonging to the Apiaceae family. It is commonly known as Baltic parsley. This plant forms a large bushy clump, and is adorned with elegant, finely cut foliage. It blooms freely for several months, under the constant flight of butterflies and bees. Crowned with large white umbels, this wild plant brings a touch of natural beauty that enhances any decor. Vigorous and remarkably adaptable, Cenolophium denudatum survives almost anywhere and self-seeds easily wherever it pleases. Superb in a meadow, with small touches in flower beds, or alongside low-growing bushes. It adapts to any desire and style.

Cenolophium denudatum is the only species representing this genus belonging to the Apiaceae family, where you can find, for example, carrots, chervil, and celery. It is native to Europe and Asia, particularly the regions bordering the Baltic Sea, Siberia, and China. It is a robust pioneer plant that easily colonises open spaces and is very hardy, undemanding in terms of soil, and tolerant of drought. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) gave an award to this wild perennial plant for its ornamental qualities and performance in the garden.

The plant grows from a stump thickened by fibrous remains from previous year's stems. It quickly forms a bushy clump, reaching a height of 80cm (32in) to 1.2m (4ft), depending on the soil richness, with a spread of 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28in). The ramified stems are sometimes tinged with purple. The dark green stems bear finely divided leaves in their lower part. This aerial vegetation is evergreen depending on the severity of the winter. The remarkably long flowering period begins in June-July and continues until the arrival of cold weather in autumn. At the tips of the stems, light inflorescences organised in umbels, 10 to 12cm (4 to 5in) wide, appear. They are barely rounded, and composed of numerous small flowers with protruding stamens ranging from pale-green to white. This flowering is intensely nectar-rich and attractive to pollinators. After pollination by insects, fruits containing numerous fine seeds form and easily germinate in the garden.

Cenolophium denudatum should make a remarkable addition to gardens of all styles: countryside, meadow, cottage garden, large rockery, dry garden, romantic or contemporary flower beds. It is an extremely robust, undemanding, and charming plant that harmonises with all its annual, perennial, or shrubby neighbours. Its endless flowering animates the garden for several months, accompanying both peonies and late autumn asters and chrysanthemums. Plant it with centaureas and thistles, annual poppies and cornflowers, nigellas, cosmos, Ammi visnaga, and annual grasses (Lagurus ovatus). It can also be happily combined with roses, shrubby artemisias, dwarf abelias, small buddleias ('Wisteria Lane'), foxgloves and delphiniums, mallows and lavateras, and Achillea 'Terracotta'. Its flower umbels are also perfect in bouquets.