Sweet Cicely.....

[binley100]

Anyone grow it or use it ? I've read it can be used to sweeten instead of sugar does it taste of anything ?

[veggiechicken]

I think I have it but it looks so much like some of the other hedgerow plants that I'm reluctant to try it, in case its hemlock!

[binley100]

yup read that it looks the same as some not so nice plants.....think I ought to buy a plant or grow from seeds from a definate source .......

[veggiechicken]

I think my neighbour, with a diabetic husband, uses it for sweetening, but not 100% certain. I'll see if I can find the plant tomorrow and give it a little lick. If I'm not here tomorrow evening, send for an ambulance please.

[Nicos]

Hi there bins- welcome back!

have a look at this...

Richters Product Listing

[northepaul]

I have and grow it, it looks just like carrot tops!! Its lovely and sweet but does have a teeny weeny bit of an aniseed taste - lovely with rhubarb though.

I should mention its extremely hard to grow from seed, so if you have a friendly neighbour it might be worth asking if you can take a cutting....
If you dont have any luck and your feeling brave, Pm me later in the year and I'll save you some seeds...though it doesnt produce very many.

[mothhawk]

I have and grow it, it looks just like carrot tops!! Its lovely and sweet but does have a teeny weeny bit of an aniseed taste - lovely with rhubarb though.

I should mention its extremely hard to grow from seed...

That would be why it's been five and a half three weeks since I sowed the seeds, and no sign yet, then.....

The instructions on the packet were a bit contrary though - it said sow half an inch deep, then further on it said do not cover as they need light to germinate! I compromised by covering with vermiculite. I tried growing from seed once before many years ago, and had absolutely no luck, so I'm not too surprised that nothing's happened this time either. I shall just leave the pot outside all summer in case...

[Nicos]

One site I looked at said if you are going to grow from seed they are more successful if sown in the Autumn.

[veggiechicken]

Perhaps its like Angelica - grown from fresh seed.

[binley100]

I've got some angelica seed somewhere .......maybe give that a go see what happens .

[bearded bloke]

Bin's if you are likely to be up this way soonish (before they get too much growth on) I will be happy to donate you an Angelica plant

[taff]

they need a period of cold to break dormancy, but it's been so bleedin cold here that it might as well be autumn. I think it's 4 weeks or something....

[northepaul]

Yes cold is good - maybe you could pop them in the freezer for a week or two and defrost then sow. Germination can take 8 or more weeks though!

[Alison]

I have some seed to grow but the instructions say autumn sowing so I'll be waiting until then. Personally I'm not that keen on the stuff but OH got quite taken with it when we used some on the booze course at River Cottage - they put some in with sloe gin and he liked that so I've promised to grow some for him.

[micb84]

It's by far my favourite wild herb. You won't confuse it with Hemlock if you crush and smell the leaves; Sweet Cicely has a strong anise aroma, whereas Hemlock smells... unpleasant, to say the least. Plus Hemlock is hairless, but Sweet Cicely is covered in fine hairs - once you've seen them both it's very easy to tell them apart. It'd be more easy to confuse, visually, with harmless and edible umbellifers like Wild Chervil, but, again, is easily identified by it's aniseed scent. Taste is not as strong as the smell, but works well in salads, or cooked like spinach; also lessens the need for sugar in sweet recipes. My favourite use is make a Sweet Cicely beer (see Nettle beer recipes, sustituting Nettles for SC).