Sison amomum
stone parsley
Western and southern Europe and western Asia
SunFull Sun – Part Shade
WaterMedium
Overview
Sison amomum, stone parsley, is a slender biennial or short-lived perennial umbellifer in the carrot family, growing 20-39 inches (50-100 cm) tall on wiry, much-branched, solid stems. The lower leaves are pinnate with toothed, oval leaflets, while the upper leaves are narrower and more divided. The plant gives off a strong smell when crushed, often likened to a mix of nutmeg and petrol, which makes it easy to recognize. From midsummer it carries small, open, few-rayed umbels of tiny white flowers, each umbel loose and uneven with only three to six spreading rays. Small egg-shaped ribbed fruits follow. The wiry, widely branched form gives the plant an airy, almost skeletal look as it dries. It grows on heavy, damp clay soils in hedge banks, road verges, wood margins, and rough grassland, mostly in lowland areas. Native to western and southern Europe and parts of western Asia, it is most frequent in mild districts on calcareous clay and is uncommon away from such soils.
Native Range
Native to western and southern Europe and parts of western Asia, reaching its northern limit in southern Britain. It grows on heavy, damp, often calcareous clay in hedge banks, road verges, wood margins, and rough grassland, mainly in mild lowland districts.Suggested Uses
Of interest mainly in native hedgerow, wildlife, and conservation plantings on clay soils, where its late umbels feed insects. It is grown occasionally as a curiosity for its strong scent rather than as a border plant.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'8" - 3'3"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Flowers from midsummer into early autumn, mainly July to September, later than many hedgerow umbellifers. The small white umbels are visited by flies, small beetles, and other short-tongued insects. Ribbed fruits ripen through autumn as the plant dries to a wiry skeleton.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 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
Water & Climate
Water Needs