Sweet Cicely

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Has anyone grown Sweet Cicely? I've ordered in some seeds but would like some pointers, I've read it's better to get cuttings rather than seeds (the seeds are difficult to germinate).

[cupcake]

I haven't had any experience with this, but it seems that the seeds need to be very fresh to germinate.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Thanks cupcake, I get the impression nobody grows it. I love it with rhubarb, so I'll give it a go and see what happens

[Eyren]

It's related to celery, parsley and parsnips - maybe you should try the old boiling water trick to get it to germinate? That plus chicken poo on the raised beds has worked wonders with parsley for me!

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Chicken poo? Need to try that, I will be growing the Sweet Cicely in a raised bed. Thanks Eyren.

[fran]

Sweet Cicely

A friend gave me a couple of small pieces of root a few years ago and it settled in really well in both shady and sunny sides of garden, and I've now got loads! It's an attractive ground cover with ferny foliage and small white flowers in spring and looks good when it first appears, which should be pretty soon. Well actually it looks good all summer and hides empty patches. It also seems to grow rampant in our local park.

I've tried to use it as a sugar substitute in with a mint tea. Not too impressed, but the rhubarb idea sounds good. I cld send you some pieces if your seeds don't germinate.

Fran

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Thanks for the offer Fran, at this point just keep your fingers crossed. Glad to hear someone is growing Sweet Cicely - trust me rhubarb and Sweet Cicely - yum yum

[brewood19]

Sweet Cicely germination

[QUOTE=FROSTYFRECKLE;372514]Has anyone grown Sweet Cicely? I've ordered in some seeds but would like some pointers, I've read it's better to get cuttings rather than seeds (the seeds are difficult to germinate).[/QUOTE
Hello, I bought some Sweet Cicely seeds in 2008 and sowed them on 23rd of january. I left them in a cold frame as I thought they would need a low temperature bfore germination. Nothing happened last year but two weeks ago I had success and now have over twenty seedling. Perhaps the cold snap a few weeks ago kicked them into action.

[Suzanne]

I grow it; I took cuttings from plants growing along the bank of the canal, opposite my home. I'm going to try it with rhubarb - thanks for the suggestion; I use it with my sweet pickled onions.

[Satchel]

Sweet cicely is a weed in my gardern. It was about the only thing growing here when I moved in two years ago. Had to spend ages digging up the huge roots before I could plant any veg. Did smell lovely though!

[Aggienator]

Thanks for the offer Fran, at this point just keep your fingers crossed. Glad to hear someone is growing Sweet Cicely - trust me rhubarb and Sweet Cicely - yum yum

How do you use it? I have a plant growing beside my rhubarb, but am unsure which bit of the plant to use

[lainey lou]

I believe you sow the seeds in Autumn as they need some frost prior to germination.
I have been hunting for a plant for some time now Jecka Mcvicar has them in her e-shop but P&P is extortionate.
I managed to get a plant over the weekend at the Bath flower show Hurray!!! I'm planning to grow it in a large pot as I have heard the roots are very invasive.
Aggienator, I think it's the leaves you use but I'm not sure of quantity, anyone have any idea?