Ah, the first snow of the year (in London)! I’m deliciously warm and cosy inside, and this enforced idleness from gardening allows me a little time for reflection and planning for the year ahead.
Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis oderata) has to be one of my favourite herbs. Its subtle aniseed flavour is always a great addition to salads and this perennial herb is also a natural sweetener, so can be added to Rhubarb and other tart fruits when cooking, instead of sugar.
Last summer I visited ‘Little Sparta’ just south of Edinburgh (another post to follow on this wonderful artist’s garden) and was enchanted by the use of Sweet Cicely as soft feathery underplanting around a small copse of trees, looking like the most delicate of fur collars. Now I think the soil at Little Sparta may be somewhat damper than my own garden, but certainly an idea to experiment with and proof that not all herbs need full sun to flourish.
If you fancy experimenting yourself and don’t have a herb nursery on your doorstep, Herbal Haven is a great online herb nursery that always sends out quality plants at very reasonable prices.
Naomi thanks so much for the reminder about Myrrhis – indeed a very lovely plant and herb and prolific self seeder – always good! . Really envious of your trip to Little Sparta – definitely one to do soon! I’ll look forward to the promised blog and images.
Hi Fern, yes, it’s so gorgeously decorative as well as its fantastic culinary uses. Should be posting Little Sparta blog soon…..N x
Hi Naomi
That’s a lovely reminder and is now on the list for a gardening shopping day to be enjoyed in a week or two. I welcome self-seeders especially when scented.
Hi Sue, Only starrted growing Sweet Cicely a few years ago and would never want to be without now,. Hope you have a fun gardening shopping day!
Hi! I’m so glad I found your blog! I am just so inspired by how much you and your neighbours have achieved through your Veg Growing Project; more veges, more fruit, more community, more connection! So amazing. I hope you don’t mind but I blogged about your achievements under ‘Urban Garden Inspiration’. Just couldn’t help myself.
I’ve not heard of Sweet Cicely but I have to agree that is does make for a lovely underplanting. I wonder how it would grow in my garden. Hmmm, more things to ponder.
Hi Caele, Thanks for the mention on your blog. Yes, our community project is still going strong and we’re gearing up for another get-together this spring.
Hope you have room to squeeze in some Sweet Cicely. You won’t regret it!
Lovely to have you back again,and know you are there to give good advice and tell us interesting things. My garden in Sheffield now emerging from 6″ snow has cycleman popping out through little holes in the snow, even been able to pick perfect undamaged pak choi having first shaken the snow of them, nothing seems to stop[ their growth.
Anita
Hi Anita, Pak Choi, such a great veg. Hope to grow some this year and some Tatsoi too. Have found Joy Larkcom very inspirational on different oriental veg to grow. Can’t wait to get sowing!
Here in Derbyshire, we use the long glossy dark seeds of sweet cicely for outlining the design on our well-dressing
Hi Marge, I hadn’t heard of well-dressing before. I had a look at a few designs. They look amazing!
Hi Naomi, by strange coincidence, this morning I looked Little Sparta up, as I would like to visit, that was prompted by a snow induced sort out of garden visit newspaper cuttings. I had an old article from the Telegraph of the book The Gardeners Gardens but on viewing ‘Little Sparta’s website read that photography was limited and permission needed, so that garden had gone in my more thought needed pile, I am very much looking forward to your post and hearing what you thought.
Hi Julie, We did ask for permission to visit Little Sparta on a day that it was not usually open (due to our itinerary), but found everyone very helpful and accommodating. Well worth looking into a little more I’d say. Post coming soon….
I have been reading your interesting emails a long time. I am speaker secretary for a ladies lunch club in Swindon. We are a group with approx 120 members who meet locally for lunch followed by a talk (of about 40mins) We raise money for Cancer Research u.k. but have fun along the way. Do you by any chance talk to societies. We would pay expenses and a fee of course. Please advise. Thank you Angela Lang.
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Hi Angie, Very happy to give talks. Will be in contact by email. V.best Naomi
Hi Naomi
I have been reading your blog for a while, and I love it. I just wanted you to know that I am appearing in an article in Gardens Illustrated in March (coming out end of Feb – it’s the Gardening Talent slot) where I mention your blog as one of my favourites. I hope you get loads more subscribers as a result! Janet
Hi Janet, Thanks so much for your lovely comment. Very much appreciated. Looking forward to reading the article and perusing your website when up and running agin. Very best wishes Naomi
Oh Sweet Cecily is another ‘umble umbel Naomi – albeit modest she certainly makes an impact in that little patch of woodland planting. I look forward to hearing more about your visit to Little Sparta.
Hi anna, yes an ‘umble umbel indeed! Little Sparta post soon…..Nx
Underplanting with this useful herb sounds perfect. It might even help me become less anti-aniseed….
Myrrhis odorata seeds should go onto my acquisitions list. it seems. If they can cope with shade, I might even try some in my current community planting project.
Hi Diana, Sweet Cicely can be difficult from seed in spring unless popped in the fridge for a couple of months first, so good time to get ordering now!
Never used to like aniseed myself, but it’s such a gentle flavour that I’ve been converted and now have a penchant for Florence Fennel too!
You’re making me look forward to the Sweet Cicely flourishing again – and all those tart Spring/Summer fruits that go so well with it. Lovely pics, I’ve never seen it growing as woodland planting like that.
Hi Andrea, Couldn’t quite believe it myself when I realised what it was! Seems to thrive in the moist peaty soil though! Like you, can’t wait for new spring growth. Salads seem a little drab without it at the moment.
An edible that like shade. I like that. A lot. 🙂 *ponders side front garden*
Hi Michelle, I know, an edible that likes shades and is a real good looker! Can’t get better than that! N x
[…] Sweet Cicely adds a lovely aniseed note to the mix too. It’s so lovely to have dinner on my doorstep, […]