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Myrrhis odorata (Sweet cecily)

Other names: Sweet chervil, Sweet Mary, Great chervil, Myrr, Sweet bracken, Anise, British myrrh, Garden myrrh, Sweet fern, Sweet cicely

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Species
M. odorata is an erect, herbaceous perennial with pinnate, aromatic, edible, bright green leaves divided into toothed, oblong to lance-shaped segments and, in early summer, branching stems bearing umbels of tiny, star-shaped, white flowers followed by glossy, ridged, brown fruit.decorative seed-pods.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
1.5 m 1 m 2-5 years
4 ft 3 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Loamy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Shade
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
  • North
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in dappled or partial shade. Leaves and seeds taste of aniseed. If using leaves as a herb, removing the flower stalks will improve the flavour at the expense of seed pods.

Suggested uses

Ground Cover, Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Wildflower, Wildlife, Flavouring food and drinks, Woodland, Bees (attract & feed bees)

UK hardiness

H5

USDA zones

Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Erect

Native to

Southern Europe

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Fragrance

Foliage and seed pods have an aniseed aroma.

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Dead-head to prevent self-seeding.

Propagation methods

Seed, Division

Pests

Generally pest-free.

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

Divide and replant clumps in autumn or early spring

Deadhead perennials before they seed (optional)

Cut back after flowering in early autumn (optional)

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (spring)

Sow seeds in a cold frame in spring

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (1)

Myrrhis

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Myrrhis odorata
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Myrrhis odorata Sweet cecily
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Companion plants (1)

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Monarda didyma
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Monarda didyma Bergamot
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Related content

Discuss Myrrhis odorata with other Shoot members

Sweet Cecily

Shoot User
733 0
I have just purchased a packet of seeds for this plant and it
states to propagate between 18-22c for 2/4 weeks and then transfer to -45/+4c for 4/6 weeks. Then return to warmth but no more than 18c.
Any members propagated these seeds in the past?
Posted: Friday 22nd of July 2011 01:38 PM Last reply: Friday 28th of February 2025 04:35 PM
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