Sweet Cicely Seeds
Herb Specifications
Season: Perennial
USDA Zones: 3 - 8
Height: 36 inches
Bloom Season: Early to mid summer
Bloom Color: White
Environment: Partial shade
Soil Type: Well drained, loamy soils
Deer Resistant: Yes
Latin Name: Myrrhis Odorata
Planting Directions
Temperature: Mix seeds with moist sand and freeze seeds for 1 month, then plant at 70F
Average Germ Time: 10 - 21 days
Light Required: No
Depth: 1/4 inch
Sowing Rate: 1 - 2 seeds per plant
Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
Plant Spacing: 24 inches
Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis Odorata) - Sweet Cicely is a unique looking herb which resembles a fern in appearance and shade tolerance. This beautiful plant comes up reliably early in the year with a plume of foliage unveiling a huge beautiful set of leaves that spread 2 to 3 feet. The wonderful foliage produces white flowers young seed pods that seriously taste basically exactly like candy. The roots are massive, deep, sweet as anything, and all parts are edible.
Sweet Cicely can grow to approximately 3 feet in height when it is in full bloom; however, most of the year it is low and beautiful to the ground. It prefers well drained, shadier, cooler, more moist locations. If you try growing it in full sun it does not hold up to well. Myrrhis Odorata goes by many other names including: garden myrrh, fern-leaved chervil, shepherd's needle and sweet-scented myrrh.
The leaves of this herb garden plant can be cooked like spinach, or add fresh leaves to salads, soups or omelets. The stalks can be used much like celery, while the roots can be boiled or eaten raw. Many people say sweet cicely roots make a flavorful wine.