This plant is also known as wild
carrot, the Queen Anne’s lace plant is a wildflower herb found in many parts of
the United States, the plant is originally from Europe. In most places the
Queen Anne’s lace plant is considered an invasive weed, the plant can actually
be an attractive addition to the home in a wildflower garden. Actually before
considering adding this plant to the garden, make sure you check with your
local extension office for its invasiveness status in your area.
Furthermore, this plant can reach a
height of about one to four feet (30-120 cm.) high. Queen Anne’s lace plant has
attractive, fern-like foliage and a tall, hairy stems that hold a flattened
cluster of tiny white flowers, with a single dark-colored floret just off its
center. Actually you can find these plants in bloom during their 2nd
year from spring on into fall. This plant is said to have been named after
Queen Anne of England, who was really an expert lace maker. Legend has it that
when pricked with a needle, a single drop of blood fell from her finger onto
the lace, leaving the dark purple floret found in the flower’s center. Also the
name wild carrot derived from the plant’s past history of use as a substitute
for carrots. The fruit of Queen Anne’s lace plant is spiky and curls inward,
reminiscent of a bird’s nest, which is another of its common names.
How to grow Queen Anne’s Lace plant
The Queen Anne’s lace plant is a
native plant in many areas, growing the plant is easy. Nevertheless, it is a
good idea to plant it somewhere with adequate space to spread; otherwise, some
type of barrier may be necessary to keep the wild carrot in bounds. The Queen
Anne’s lace plant is adaptable to a variety of soil conditions and it prefers
sun to partial shade. The plant also prefers well-draining, neutral to alkaline
soil. Actually there are cultivated plants available for purchase, you can also
gather a handful of seeds from the wild plants in the fall. Also there is a
similar look-alike plant called bishop’s flower (Ammi majus), which is far less
intrusive.
How to Care for Queen Anne’s Lace
plant
Caring for this plant is very simple.
Apart from occasional watering during times of extreme drought, the plant
requires little care and doesn’t need fertilizing. To actually prevent the
spread of the plant, you can deadhead the flowers before the seeds have a
chance to disperse. If the plant gets out of control, the plant can easily be
dug up. On the other hand, you will have to make certain that you get up the
entire taproot. Wetting the area beforehand usually makes this task much easier.
Keep in mind when growing this plant is the fact that handling the plant can
cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction.
Post a Comment