Pimpinella spp.

pimpinella

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Pimpinella spp. is a large genus of about 150 to 200 aromatic herbs in the carrot family Apiaceae, native across Europe, Asia, and Africa. The genus spans annual, biennial, and perennial species, including the culinary spice anise, Pimpinella anisum, and the meadow burnet-saxifrages such as P. saxifraga and P. major. Plants form a basal tuft of pinnately divided or compound leaves and erect, often wiry, branched stems 8-48 inches (20-120 cm) tall. The tiny flowers, usually white but sometimes pink or pale yellow, are gathered into flat or domed compound umbels typical of the family, opening from late spring through summer. Dry, ribbed, often aromatic seeds follow; those of anise carry the familiar sweet, licorice-like scent. Pimpinella spp. grows in grassland, meadows, open woodland, and rocky slopes, mostly on well-drained soils. Some perennial species are long-lived meadow plants, while anise is a frost-tender annual needing a long warm season to ripen seed, so cultivation needs differ widely across the genus.

Native Range

Pimpinella spp. is native to temperate and warm regions of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Its species grow in grassland, hay meadows, open woodland, scrub, and rocky ground, mostly on freely draining soils.

Suggested Uses

Perennial species are used in meadow, prairie, and naturalistic plantings and as nectar sources for small pollinators. Anise is grown in herb and kitchen gardens for its aromatic seed.

How to Identify

Recognized by pinnately divided or compound leaves and small flowers, usually white, arranged in compound umbels without prominent bracts. Crushed foliage or seed of some species, notably anise, gives a sweet licorice scent. The slender stems, finely divided lower leaves, and small umbels separate Pimpinella spp. from larger-flowered or strongly bracted relatives in the carrot family.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 4'

Width/Spread8" - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs from late spring through summer, roughly June through August, with umbels opening over a long period on branched stems. Bloom can continue into early autumn in mild seasons. Ribbed seeds ripen from late summer onward.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-9 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 sand chalk

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Cultivation depends on the species. Perennial and biennial Pimpinella spp. grow in full sun to light shade on moderately fertile, well-drained soil and need little attention once established, tolerating dry spells and a range of soil pH. Anise, an annual, is sown in spring after frost in a warm, sunny, sheltered spot and needs a long, warm growing season of around 120 days to ripen its seed. Steady moisture during early growth supports establishment, while waterlogged ground is poorly tolerated. Plants self-seed where conditions suit, and seed of the aromatic species can be harvested as it browns. Little or no feeding is needed on reasonable soils.

Pruning

Cut back spent flowering stems after seed ripens, or leave seed heads to self-sow or for harvest. Remove dead growth of perennial species in autumn or late winter. No structural pruning is needed.

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Wildflowers & Herbs