Chaerophyllum - Turnip-Rooted Chervil

(Chaerophyl'lum)

DESCRIPTION: This group of perennials and annuals are natives of Europe. C. bulbosum, the Turnip-rooted Chervil, should be treated as a biennial. It has fern-like, compound leaves and umbels of small white flowers. Its roots look like small, short Carrots and the flesh is yellowish-white. They can be eaten if they are boiled. C. hirsutum var. Roseum is a vigorous plant that can grow up to 4 feet high. It forms clumps of large, soft, divided leaves, which resemble those of the Fern. They grow on purplish-green stems. In mid-summer, it produces tiny pink flowers with fringed petals in small umbels on stout, erect stems.

POTTING: Grow these plants in moist, fertile soil in a position with full sun or partial shade. These are great to plant in wild gardens and flower borders. When growing the Turnip-rooted Chervil, the roots are fully grown by late summer of the year after they were sown; the foliage will also turn brown. The roots shouldn't be lifted until they are needed, unless the ground they are in is needed. In that case, they should be dug up carefully and stored in sand or light soil.

PROPAGATION: They may be divided in early spring. Seeds of the Turnip-rooted Chervil should be sown in the fall. Seeds lose their vitality in a dry seed packet, so if possible, plant them immediately or else cover them in sand. As mentioned in potting, the roots should be full grown by late summer of the year after they were sown.

VARIETIES: C. bulbosum; C. hirsutum var. Roseum.

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