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skill rating
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Myrrhis odorata (Sweet cecily)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Myrrhis odorata
Other names
Sweet chervil, Sweet Mary, Great chervil, Myrr, Sweet bracken, Anise, British myrrh, Garden myrrh, Sweet fern, Sweet cecily, Sweet cicely
Genus
Myrrhis Myrrhis
Species
M. odorata - M. odorata is an erect, herbaceous perennial with pinnate, aromatic, edible, bright green leaves divided into toothed, oblong to lance-shaped segments and, in early summer, branching stems bearing umbels of tiny, star-shaped, white flowers followed by glossy, ridged, brown fruit.decorative seed-pods.
Myrrhis odorata is: Deciduous
Fragrance
Foliage and seed pods have an aniseed aroma.
Habit
Erect
Flower
White in Summer
Foliage
Green in Spring; Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Dead-head to prevent self-seeding.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Myrrhis odorata (Sweet cecily) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Wildflower, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in dappled or partial shade. Leaves and seeds taste of aniseed. If using leaves as a herb, removing the flower stalks will improve the flavour at the expense of seed pods.
Soil type
Loamy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Myrrhis odorata
Other names
Sweet chervil, Sweet Mary, Great chervil, Myrr, Sweet bracken, Anise, British myrrh, Garden myrrh, Sweet fern, Sweet cecily, Sweet cicely
Genus
Myrrhis Myrrhis
Species
M. odorata - M. odorata is an erect, herbaceous perennial with pinnate, aromatic, edible, bright green leaves divided into toothed, oblong to lance-shaped segments and, in early summer, branching stems bearing umbels of tiny, star-shaped, white flowers followed by glossy, ridged, brown fruit.decorative seed-pods.
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
Foliage and seed pods have an aniseed aroma.
Habit
Erect
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Colour
Flower
White in Summer
Foliage
Green in Spring; Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Dead-head to prevent self-seeding.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Myrrhis odorata (Sweet cecily) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Wildflower, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in dappled or partial shade. Leaves and seeds taste of aniseed. If using leaves as a herb, removing the flower stalks will improve the flavour at the expense of seed pods.
Soil type
Loamy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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Sweet Cecily
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