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Chaerophyllum spp.

chervils

Apiaceae Temperate Northern Hemisphere

Attracts Pollinators

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

Overview

Chaerophyllum spp. is a genus of about 35 to 45 annual, biennial, and perennial herbs in the carrot family, native to the Northern Hemisphere. Plants are upright, 1-6 feet (0.3-1.8 m) tall, with hollow, often hairy or purple-spotted stems and finely divided, fern-like leaves 2-12 inches (5-30 cm) long. Small five-petalled flowers, usually white and sometimes pink, are carried in flat-topped compound umbels 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) across in late spring and summer. The fruit is a narrow, ridged, two-parted dry seed typical of the family. Roots range from slender to swollen and tuberous, as in C. bulbosum, turnip-rooted chervil, which is grown as a root vegetable. Some species, such as C. hirsutum, are grown in gardens for early ferny foliage and pink-tinged flower heads, while others, including C. temulum, rough chervil, are poisonous and grow as roadside weeds. Across the genus, plants occur in meadows, woodland edges, hedgerows, and damp grassland. Foliage often appears early in the year and dies back after seeding. Several species self-seed freely and can spread where conditions suit them.

Native Range

The genus Chaerophyllum spp. is native across the temperate Northern Hemisphere, in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America. Plants grow in damp meadows, woodland margins, hedge banks, streamsides, and disturbed grassland. C. hirsutum is a plant of mountain meadows and stream edges in Europe, while several North American species grow in moist woods and clearings.

Suggested Uses

Ornamental species such as C. hirsutum are grown in moist borders, woodland gardens, and naturalistic meadow plantings, spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart, for early ferny foliage and umbels among spring perennials. C. bulbosum is grown in vegetable gardens for its edible root. The flat flower heads draw small pollinating insects.

How to Identify

Recognized by hollow, often bristly or purple-blotched stems, finely divided fern-like leaves, and flat compound umbels of small white or pink-tinged flowers. The narrow, smooth, ridged seeds distinguish Chaerophyllum spp. within the carrot family. C. temulum is marked by rough-hairy, purple-spotted stems and is poisonous, while C. bulbosum has a swollen edible root. Crushed foliage of some species has an aniseed or carrot scent.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 6'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

white

pink

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring Summer

Blooms in late spring and summer, generally May through July, with timing varying by species and region. The flat umbels of white to pink flowers open over several weeks and are followed by ridged seeds. Annual and biennial species flower once and die after seeding, while perennials return each year. Bloom is earlier in mild lowland sites.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to pink

Foliage Description

green, fern-like

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay silt

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Most species grow in full sun to part shade in moist, fertile soil, tolerating the dappled shade of woodland edges. Plants are watered in dry spells, as drought brings on early dormancy. C. bulbosum is grown from seed sown in autumn for its roots, which need winter cold to develop and are lifted the following summer. Little feeding is needed in reasonable soil. Aphids and the leaf diseases of other umbellifers can occur. Self-seeding can be heavy, so seed heads are removed before ripening where spread is not wanted. Some species are poisonous, and their foliage resembles edible umbellifers.

Pruning

No formal pruning is needed for these herbaceous plants. Spent flower heads are cut off after bloom to limit self-seeding, or left to ripen where more plants are wanted. Old foliage of perennial species is cleared in autumn or late winter. Annual and biennial plants are pulled once they have set seed and died.