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Herbaceous Perennial

Chaerophyllum hirsutum

hairy chervil

An upright, clump-forming perennial with apple-scented, fern-like leaves and umbels of white flowers from late spring to mid-summer

Synonyms

Chaerophyllum cicutaria

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Apiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Chaerophyllum are tap-rooted perennials with fern-like, finely divided leaves and umbels of small white or pink flowers
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Europe

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a fertile, moist soil in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as ripe or in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews

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