Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Oenanthe crocata (Hemlock water dropwort)
Comment on a listing
Plant supplier links
- Login to upload a photo
3 hours care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
0.9m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Oenanthe crocata
Other names
Hemlock water dropwort, Balder root, Ban dock, Dead tongue, Hemlock dropwort, Hemlock wort, Water hemlock, Water dropwort
Genus
Oenanthe Oenanthe
Species
O. crocata - O. crocata is an erect, robust, moisture-loving, highly toxic, deciduous perennial with thick, sturdy, hollow stems bearing pinnate leaves divided into numerous triangular, toothed, grey-green leaflets and umbels of tiny, star-shaped, white flowers in summer.
Oenanthe crocata is: Deciduous
Habit
Erect
Toxicity
All parts are highly toxic and consuming even a small amount, particularly the root, will mostly likely be fatal. The roots have been mistaken for parsnips leading to a number of fatalities.
Flower
White in Summer
Foliage
Cream, Mid-green, Pink in Spring; Cream, Pink, Mid-green in Summer; Cream, Pink, Mid-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Slugs , Snails Aphids , Slugs , Snails
General care
Pruning
Deadhead regularly to prevent unwanted seedlings. Cut back in autumn. Wear protective gloves and coveralls and carefully dispose of cut material.
Propagation methods
Seed
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Oenanthe crocata (Hemlock water dropwort) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.9m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Aquatic, Bog garden, Containers, Edging, Ground Cover, Hanging baskets, Waterside
Cultivation
Grow in moist or wet soil in full sun or partial shade. Grow with caution as this plant is highly toxic. Usually found growing alongside water.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Boggy damp conditions, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Oenanthe crocata
Other names
Hemlock water dropwort, Balder root, Ban dock, Dead tongue, Hemlock dropwort, Hemlock wort, Water hemlock, Water dropwort
Genus
Oenanthe Oenanthe
Species
O. crocata - O. crocata is an erect, robust, moisture-loving, highly toxic, deciduous perennial with thick, sturdy, hollow stems bearing pinnate leaves divided into numerous triangular, toothed, grey-green leaflets and umbels of tiny, star-shaped, white flowers in summer.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Erect
Toxicity
All parts are highly toxic and consuming even a small amount, particularly the root, will mostly likely be fatal. The roots have been mistaken for parsnips leading to a number of fatalities.
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
White in Summer
Foliage
Cream, Mid-green, Pink in Spring; Cream, Pink, Mid-green in Summer; Cream, Pink, Mid-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
General care
Pruning
Deadhead regularly to prevent unwanted seedlings. Cut back in autumn. Wear protective gloves and coveralls and carefully dispose of cut material.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Oenanthe crocata (Hemlock water dropwort) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.9m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Aquatic, Bog garden, Containers, Edging, Ground Cover, Hanging baskets, Waterside
Cultivation
Grow in moist or wet soil in full sun or partial shade. Grow with caution as this plant is highly toxic. Usually found growing alongside water.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Boggy damp conditions, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Boggy damp conditions, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login
DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Is this water hemlock?
There are 0 active discussions about Oenanthe crocata (Hemlock water dropwort)
View all discussions