Captivating Umbellifers: 5 Enchanting, Elegant Blossoms that Grace Borders Effortlessly, Enhancing Your Planting Designs with Minimal Maintenance
If you're seeking to inject a touch of ethereal elegance and towering beauty in your garden, look no further than umbellifer plants. With their airy, umbrella-like blooms and delicate, lace-like foliage, these flowers will effortlessly add a touch of enchantment to your borders and beds.
In the creative process of designing a garden from scratch, I would never miss an opportunity to include a few umbellifer varieties among the more central blooms. They're delightful not only for their visual appeal but also for their magnetic attraction to the buzzing world of pollinators.
For my cut flower beds, I often find myself drawn to these species, as the umbellifer forms are an ideal fit for natural and organic-style arrangements. But let's dive into the top five umbellifer plants and take a peek at how to grow them for maximum impact in your yard.
Top-Shelf Umbellifer Plants
Umbellifer plants and flowers belong to the Apiaceae family, named after the flat, disc-like shape of their flower heads, equally known as umbels. Despite this collective name, certain exceptions exist, such as sea holly, or Eryngium, characterized by its spiky thistle-like form.
1. Daucus carota
Also known as wild carrot, Daucus carota is a biennial plant featuring finely divided foliage, delicate white umbels with single dark florets in the center. It thrives well in full sun and well-drained soil. For those seeking a darker, less conventional color palette in their garden, the 'Dara' variety offers burgundy and pink flower heads, adding a sophisticated shade to blooming schemes and bouquets. You can purchase such seeds from popular online retailers like Amazon.
Hardiness: USDA zones 3-9.
2. Orlaya grandiflora
A personal favorite of mine, Orlaya grandiflora, is also known as laceflower, an annual native to southern Europe. Its delicate flower heads, reminiscent of lace napkins and bonnets, are nothing short of captivating. From May onwards in my cutting patch, it produces bright white umbels and flowers for a long period. It thrives on sturdy stems, making it an excellent addition for softening larger cut arrangements. I usually start seeds in the autumn and overwinter them somewhere warm to secure a healthy head start in the following growing season.
Hardiness: Best in USDA zones 6-9.
3. Pimpinella major 'Rosea'
Pimpinella major 'Rosea' is a herbaceous perennial, similar in appearance to cow parsley but exudes an elegant charm with its soft pink blooms that fade as summer progresses. This plant would be ideal for borders in a cottage garden setting, and thrives best in moisture but well-drained soil.
Another umbellifer from the same Pimpinella plant genus is Pimpinella anisum, or anise, an umbel herb with a strong liquorice flavor that's perfect for cultivation in containers.
Hardiness: USDA zones 4-8
4. Ammi majus
Similar to cow parsley in appearance, Ammi majus is primarily grown as a hardy annual that produces large, frothy white umbels and finely toothed foliage. Often mistaken for cow parsley, this plant is known as bishop's flower and is commonly used in floristry as a refined alternative to Queen Anne's Lace. I sow Ammi directly into my cutting beds, as it seems to thrive better this way, and I typically do so in late summer to secure early blooms the following spring.
Hardiness: USDA zones 5-9
You can find Ammi majus seeds on platforms such as Walmart.
5. Foeniculum vulgare
A majestic, aromatic perennial with towering height, wild fennel features feathery foliage and yellow flowers. Not only is it ornamental, but it's also edible. With the potential to grow up to 70 inches, it will undoubtedly bring a dramatic and naturalistic touch to your flower bed. It flourishes best in full sun. Its anise-scented foliage adds texture and aroma to gardens, but beware, as it has a tendency to self-seed and may become invasive if not controlled.
You can find striking bronze fennel seeds at True Leaf Market.
Hardiness: USDA zones 4-9.
There is something truly beguiling about the delicate beauty of umbellifer flowers as they dance and sway with ease in the breeze, tirelessly attracting pollinators while adding grace and allure to your garden. As a romantic gardener, I find myself captivated by their enchanting presence, creating a perfect blend of beauty, height, and wild charm.
In the realm of home-and-garden ideas, umbellifer plants offer a captivating blend of ethereal elegance and timeless charm, making them an excellent addition to any lifestyle centered around gardening. For those embarking on the creative journey of designing their dream garden, incorporating a variety of umbellifer species is sure to elevate the floral arrangements and attract a delightful array of pollinators, contributing to a thriving garden and a harmonious lifestyle.
