Garden Angelica - Ferme de Sainte Marthe seeds

Garden angelica (Angelica archangelica) is an attractive, large biennial plant. In its third year, magnificent compound umbels of flowers appear in early summer. It is mainly cultivated for its long stems which can be candied and used in baking. Sow from March to April or from July to September.

Angelica belongs to the Apiaceae family. It is native to the cool regions of the northern Hemisphere and has been used since the Middle Ages as a vegetable and medicinal plant. This tall biennial can reach two meters in height. It has large, semi-persistent, bright green, toothed and deeply divided leaves. Its pretty blooms appear in early summer, three years after sowing, in the form of generous whitish green umbels. Its scent is sweet and musky. Angelica is a hardy plant and will tolerate temperatures of at least -15°C.

During the Renaissance, Angelica was believed to have magical properties because it seemed to cure serious diseases such as the plague and rabies. Nowadays, Angelica is mainly cultivated for its stem which is candied for baking and confectionary. It is also used to make liqueur.

Plant in light sun or half-shade, in slightly acidic, moist to humid, humus-rich soil. Make sure you give it plenty of space as it will grow into quite a big plant.

Harvesting: the stems of the Angelica can be harvested before flowering, once the plant is in its second year.

Preservation: candied Angelica will keep for several months.

Good to know: be careful when handling Angelica leaves as they cause photosensitisation, arms and hands should be covered.

NB. Organic seeds (in French "AB" for "Agriculture Biologique") are produced from plants that aren't treated with phytosanitary products (insecticides, weed killers). The seeds do not undergo post-harvest treatment. They carry the AB label and are approved by Ecocert, an independent structure.