Reccomendations for Plants that look like Cow Parsley

Discussion in 'Herbs and Wildflowers' started by Jungle Jane, May 21, 2014.

  1. Jungle Jane

    Jungle Jane Middle Class Twit Of The Year 2005

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    I really like cow parsley but have heard that its quite hard to control in a garden setting. Can anyone recommend a plant similar to Cow Parsley that are tall and quite architectural, possibly with white flowers too but won't spread everywhere.

    Also if it's good for wildlife that would be a bonus.

    :blue thumb:
     
  2. Fern4

    Fern4 Total Gardener

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  3. Lolimac

    Lolimac Guest

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    Ammi Majus, aka Queen Annes Lace/Bishops weed a lovely plant:thumbsup:
     
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    • Scrungee

      Scrungee Well known for it

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      Or just ordinary carrots.

      I wonder if shop bought ones are treated with growth retardant? A bunch of organic ones should be OK.

      [​IMG]
       
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      • Marley Farley

        Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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        • Trunky

          Trunky ...who nose about gardening

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          If you've got the space for it, another possibility would be Crambe cordifolia.
           
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          • Jungle Jane

            Jungle Jane Middle Class Twit Of The Year 2005

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            Some very good suggestions and links posted. Thanks everyone!

            I love this plant and this is certainly one I will be buying, if only my local garden centres stocked it! :frown:
             
          • Kristen

            Kristen Under gardener

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            I have Crambe cordifolia and Angelica. They are Big Chaps :)

            I'd go for Anthriscus sylvestris 'Ravenswing'. More delicate than Cow parsley, and purple leaved, but otherwise looks about the same I reckon?

            [​IMG]
             
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            • Madahhlia

              Madahhlia Total Gardener

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              Anyone tried Didiscus caerulea? Except it's supposed to be blue, not white. I say supposed because I can't get the flippin' thing to flower. It's an umbellifer like cow parsley, though.

              Fennel is good if you want the architectural shape though it's not lacy like cow parsley.
               
            • Cinnamon

              Cinnamon Super Gardener

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            • NigelJ

              NigelJ Total Gardener

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            • westwales

              westwales Gardener

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              What about fennel? Fennel seed is good in cooking but fennel pollen is even better (and very expensive). Yellow flowers, similar to Cow Parsley, in ideal conditions though can also be a spreader.
               
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              • Kristen

                Kristen Under gardener

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                I'm liking the look of that! Thanks for that :) Up to 4M high eh? Blinking 'eck!
                [​IMG]
                http://rhs.org.uk/plants/details?plantid=791

                I saw an Angelica in an Exotic garden a couple of years ago, and it was impressive. So I sowed some from seed last year, and this year they are doing their stuff (everything is, given the mild winter), but they aren't quite as impressive as the ones I saw, so perhaps I need to shop around a bit - rather than just relying on a packet of seeds I bought for a quid!

                I grew Thalictrum aquilegifolium but the pink flower didn't fit in here and I gave it to @shiney as a substitute for his Aquilegias which are sadly mysteriously dying. But thanks for raising it as I've had another look and there are a number of varieties that better suit my garden - for example the Alba version of that (Dunno why I didn't look up alternatives when I decided I didn't like the pink flower colour of the one I grew Doh!), and there are several that look like they could do Cow Parsley imitations :) Amongst the varieties on CGF numerous have Bob's Score, which I always regard as A Good Sign :) and even 10s for Thalictrum dasycarpum purple dark leaf
                [​IMG]
                and Thalictrum ichangense & its ’Purple Marble’ cultivar
                [​IMG]
                [​IMG]

                http://www.cgf.net/plants.aspx?genus=THALICTRUM
                 
              • shiney

                shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                I don't know where Mrs Shiney has planted the Thalictrum from @Kristen but she also wants to get the white version to go with it. Especially after I took these photos of some 6ft tall ones! :heehee:

                P1200343.JPG

                P1200364.JPG
                 
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