Are you looking for a new plant to add to your garden?
Sweet cicely is a perennial herb that grows in the shade or partial shade of woodlands and forests. It’s easy to grow, but it does require some care. If you want sweet cicely in your yard, here are some tips on how to make sure it thrives.
Planting sweet cicely near other plants will help keep deer away from them. The scent of the leaves repels deer and rodents; they don’t like its taste either! You can also use this herb as an ornamental plant because it has pretty white flowers with yellow centers that bloom in early summer through fall. They look great against green foliage! Plus, if you have children who enjoy playing outdoors, they’ll love picking up these bright red seeds when they drop from the flower heads after blooming ends each year!
Cicely (Myrrhis odorata)
When is the best time of the year to plant Cicely
The best time of year to plant Cicely is in the early spring. In order to maximize the yield, it is important to have well-prepared soil and a site with full sun exposure.
Cicely prefers loose, humus-rich soils in acidic conditions. Although this plant does prefer moist soil, it also withstands drought very well. In fact, cicely can be planted on somewhat of a slope, which requires less irrigation.
It is important to avoid planting cicely near other strong-smelling herbs, as it will absorb their flavors. Other than that, this herb is quite versatile and grows in a variety of climates.
Where in the Garden Should You Plant Cicely
Cicely does best when planted in full sun exposure.
If you are planting cicely with other plants, place it where it will have at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.
It is preferable to keep the plant away from large trees. However, if you do plant it near a tree, it should be a fast-growing variety. Cicely does not grow well under the shade of other trees and can become stunted as a result.
Cicely is fairly low maintenance and grows quickly, so you won’t have to work much to care for this plant. In fact, the only time-consuming care this plant needs are weeding. It is important to keep all weeds away from cicely as it has shallow roots and can easily become damaged by weed growth.
How Often Should I Watering Cicely
You should water cicely every day for 4-5 minutes. The water needs to be cold for this plant. If you are watering your cicely every day then it is probably getting too much water which can cause root rot. You should stop watering daily or at least reduce the number of days to 3-4 times a week as an average and adjust depending on the conditions where you plan to keep your cicely.
Watering cicely every day is necessary in the beginning when the plant is getting established, but once it is growing well you can reduce the watering to 3-4 times a week. Make sure the water is cold, as this plant prefers cooler temperatures. If the water is not cold, it will affect the plant’s health.
When and How to Harvest Cicely
Cicely can be harvested at any time of the year. The best time to harvest cicely is when the plant is in bloom. The flowers can be harvested and used fresh or dried. The leaves can also be harvested at any time of the year, but they are most flavorful in the spring and summer. To harvest cicely, cut the plants just above the ground with a sharp knife. Remove any damaged or wilted leaves. Bundle the cicely plants into small bundles and hang them upside down to help the flowers retain their flavor.
Different Ways to Store Cicely
Cicely can be stored in a variety of ways, depending on how you plan to use it. If you’re going to use it fresh, you can store it in the fridge, in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel. You can also freeze cicely by chopping it up and putting it in an airtight container or bag. If you’re going to use it dried, you can store it in an airtight container or bag either at room temperature or in the fridge. No matter how you choose to store cicely, it will last for several weeks.
Other things of interest about Cicely
- The Cicely herb is also known as creasy bear’s-ear.
- It originated in the mountainous regions of Europe and Asia.
- Its leaves taste like celery, its roots are sweet enough to be enjoyed raw, and its flowers are fragrant.
- The genus name ‘Myrrhis’ means ‘sweet vessel’, and is also found in the ancient Latin name for Cicely, which was Myrrhis odorata.
- A cup of creasy bear’s ear tea has been known to be a cure for asthma and bronchitis.
- Bear’s-ear belongs to the family Apiaceae or parsley, along with carrots and celery.
- The roots of the plant are harvested in the fall and dried for use as tea.
- Cicely has been said to be an aphrodisiac for menopausal women, as well as a sweetening agent for libido and fertility.
- Cicely is the only known source of Myrrhis odorata, which can be distilled into an essential oil that has been said to have aphrodisiac properties in menopausal women.
Conclusion: Now that you know a bit more about how to grow sweet cicely, it’s time to get started! This herb is easy to care for and can add a touch of sweetness to your garden. So, why not give it a try? You may be surprised at just how much you enjoy this herb.