False Bishop's Weed Growing Guide

Ammi majus, Ammi visnaga

Crop Rotation Group

Umbelliferae (Carrot and root family) ●

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

Yes. Hardy down to -4ºF (-20ºC).

Feeding

Drench with a liquid organic fertiliser when plants begin to grow tall in late spring or early summer. Feed again in midsummer after the first big flush of flowers.

Spacing

Single Plants: 30cm (11") each way (minimum)
Rows: 30cm (11") with 30cm (11") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Start seeds indoors and expect seeds to germinate after 10 days. Set plants out after the soil warms when they are 6 weeks old. Handle carefully, disturbing the roots as little as possible. Or, direct-sow seeds where you want the plants to grow in spring. Young plants need water when they are actively growing, along with careful weeding.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Ammi plants tend to lean over as they gain size, which turns them into a cloud of white blooms and soft foliage. Ammi is a more refined plant compared to Queen Anne’s lace, and sheds far less pollen when used in cut flower arrangements. Ammi lends a pristine touch to arrangements composed of cosmos, dahlias, and other summer flowers. The blossoms of A. visnaga, called toothpick ammi, often have a green tint. In wet weather, the thin stems sometimes struggle to hold up the large flower umbels.

Harvesting

Gather stems just as the umbels open fully, and condition them in cool water. Removing spent blossoms keeps the plants in flower longer.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect False Bishop's Weed

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail