Laserpitium spp.

laserwort

Apiaceae

Europe, Mediterranean, North Africa, and western Asia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (light)

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 5–8

Overview

Laserpitium spp. is a genus of robust perennial herbs in the carrot family (Apiaceae), with roughly 10 to 30 species distributed across Europe, the Mediterranean basin, North Africa, and western Asia. Plants grow from a thick taproot and woody crown, producing erect hollow stems 0.5-2 m (1.6-6.5 ft) tall above large, two- to three-times divided leaves with broad leaflets. The small flowers are carried in flat-topped compound umbels 8-20 cm (3-8 in) across, usually white and occasionally tinged pink, opening in summer. Each flower develops into a dry fruit with prominent longitudinal wings that aid wind dispersal. Most species grow in mountain meadows, open grassland, scrub, and woodland margins on limestone or other calcareous soils, from lowland to subalpine elevations. L. siler and L. latifolium are among the more widespread species in European mountains. Growth is clump-forming and long-lived, with deep roots that make established plants drought tolerant but slow to re-establish after transplanting. The genus tolerates cold well but is intolerant of waterlogged ground, where the crown is prone to rot. Foliage dies back to the rootstock over winter and re-emerges in spring.

Native Range

Laserpitium spp. is native to Europe, the Mediterranean region, North Africa, and temperate western Asia, with its greatest diversity in the mountains of southern and central Europe. Species occur from lowland grassland to subalpine meadows.

Suggested Uses

Grown in naturalistic plantings, gravel gardens, and meadow-style borders where its tall umbels rise above lower grasses. Suited to dry, sunny sites on limestone soils, spaced 60-90 cm (24-36 in) apart.

How to Identify

Identified by stout hollow stems rising from a woody crown, large leaves divided two or three times into broad toothed leaflets, and wide compound umbels of small white flowers. The dry fruits are readily recognized, each bearing four to eight lengthwise wings. The whole plant has the aromatic sap typical of the carrot family.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'8" - 6'7"

Width/Spread1'6" - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Summer

Flowering occurs in summer, mainly June through August depending on elevation, with high-mountain sites blooming later. The white umbels remain in flower for several weeks and give way to winged fruits that persist into autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to pale pink

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 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 Range6.5 - 8.0(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

loam chalk rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun to light shade and require well-drained soil, with a preference for neutral to alkaline, limestone-derived ground. Established clumps are drought tolerant and need little supplemental water. The deep taproot makes division and transplanting difficult, so propagation is usually from fresh seed sown in autumn. Cold hardiness is good across much of the temperate range, but wet winter soils can rot the crown. Plants take two to three years from seed to reach flowering size.

Pruning

Spent flower stems can be cut to the base after the seed ripens, or left standing for the structural seed heads. Cutting back foliage as it yellows in autumn keeps the crown tidy. No routine pruning is otherwise needed.