Angelica Herb

Angelica herb leaves can grow as high as 2 feet long on stems as tall as 8 feet.

This herb is a species of tall biennial and perennial herbs in the family Apiaceae.

Native to temperate and subartic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, angelica can reach as far north as Iceland and Lapland.

Angelica sinensis (Don Quai) is one of the many different varieties of angelica.

Some other varieties include Angelica archangelica, angelica atropurpurea, angelica dahurica, angelica gigas, and wild angelica.

Angelica makes a dramatic focal point for the rear of the herb garden.

Description

Angelica is a Biennial growing between 5 to 8 feet tall in zones 4 and 9. This herb produces great rounded Queen-Anne's-lace-like umbels, up to 10 inches in diameter and consists of many small green honey-scented flowers. Plants bloom in June or July in the second or third year of growth. The leaves are broad with toothed edges.

All the parts of angelica have a mild licorice flavor with a slightly spicy bite. It also has a faintly sweet fragrance.

How To Grow Angelica

When to plant: Angelica seeds must be fresh to germinate. You'll want to gather ripe seeds in late summer or early fall and sow where they are to grow-angelica is difficult to transplant.

Seeds require light to germinate, so refrigerate purchased seeds unitl planting.

Where to plant: Angelica prefers partial shade but will grow in shade, and if mulched, in sun.

Soil and fertility: You'll want to plant in moderately moist, slightly acid soil of average fertility.

Plant spacing: Make sure to space plants about 2 feet apart.

Pests: Aphids, earwigs, leafminers, spider mites

Diseases: Crown rot

Harvesting Angelica

When to harvest: For best quality, gather leaves and stems in the morning after the dew has dried, in spring and summer but before plants flower. Collect the seeds in late summer and dig roots in early fall after the first year of growth.

How to harvest: Cut the stems at a node (where the leaf attaches to the stem) several inches above ground level. Strip the leaves from the cut stems, and enclose the whole seed heads when nearly ripe to prevent shattering. Dig the roots in dry weather with a spading fork.

Drying: Hang the leaves and enclosed seed heads to air dry, and cut the roots into 2-inch pieces and dry in a dehydrator.

Angelica Uses

Cooking: Use the seeds in cakes and beverages and chopped stems to sweeten desserts. Cook the leaves with acidic fruits like rhubarb to sweeten the fruits.

Crystallizing: You can add crystallized stems to deserts.

Tips On Growing Angelica

Angelica herb dies after setting the seeds; unless you're growing it for seeds, remove the flowers early to prolong the life of the plant.