Angelica, Official

Angelica archangelica

Family: Apiaceae
Biennial.  Native to temperate Europe, Siberia and the Himalayan Mountians.  Cultivated world-wide.  Medicinal gardens crave the presence of this, the official species.  Bitter aromatic, antimicrobial and carminative. By the way, our 1999 harvest produced absolutely plump and awesome seed, so it is a good year to stock up.  Cultivation:  Extra care. Our seed is cold-stored to assure viability. The common conception that Angelica seed is of short-term viability was disproven this year when we planted cold-stored seed from 1996 (four years old) and produced a solid flat of seedlings within 3 weeks.  To plant, press seeds into surface of flat and keep partially shaded and moist until germination. Transplant seedlings 2 feet apart into rich soil.  Prefers partial shade.  Requires plenty of water.  Flowers in the second year to a height of 3 feet or more.  For more information on the cultivation and use of Angelica, see Richo’s publication “Middle Earth --Cultivation of Medicinals from the English Tradition.”  

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