Ammi
( AM - mee )
|
At-A-Glance InformationCommonly called Bishop's Lace, False Queen Anne's Lace, or Laceflower, this genus includes annual flowering plants which grow in full sun to partial shade and need moderate to regular water to perform well in the landscape. Flowers will attract butterflies and beneficial insects to your yard. Native to southern Europe, Turkey, and North Africa, this flower is a relative of Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota) and belongs to the family Apiaceae. Stems are slender and branched, and produce dome-shaped clusters of tiny white flowers. They are great in dried and fresh bouquets and in meadow or pollinator beds. The genus Ammi includes three species, only one of which (Ammi majus) is commonly cultivated in gardens. These flowers can be grown in all zones (to find your zone, click here: Zone Map). Take care when planting these flowers in the garden, as the sap may cause a rash if contact is made with skin, and it is also toxic to humans and pets if ingested.
|
Caring for Ammi
Ammi, or Bishop's Lace, is typically purchased as seed and either direct sown into the garden in springtime or started indoors and then planted out after the last frost of the year has passed. Plant Bishop's Lace in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms and overall performance. They can also be grown in light shade, though when grown in too little light, they will not flower as profusely and become leggy. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.5 and 8.3 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. These plants appreciate a sandy or loamy soil. Apply a layer of mulch in the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch.
Ammi plants do not need to be fertilized during the growing season as long as soil is well-amended before planting. Blooms will appear over a long season, from early summer through late fall. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage and deadhead spent flower inflorescences to discourage seeds from spreading in the landscape. If propagating Bishop's Lace by seed, make sure to leave some flowering heads to mature and dry out. Placing a mesh bag over the maturing seed heads will ensure that all seeds are collected and are not spread across the landscape. Ammi plants are annuals, and will need to be pulled at the end of the year and composted. They will be replaced in the next season by volunteer plants that sprout from seeds left behind in the soil.
Harvesting Ammi
Ammi makes an excellent filler flower for fresh flower arrangements, providing lacy, delicate white blooms that create a cloud effect. Select firm, healthy flowering stems for harvesting, and using clean, sharp shears or snips, cut them from plants towards their base. Most of the flowers in the inflorescence should be open before stems are cut. The best time to harvest these flowers is in the morning, after dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in. Drop the cut stems immediately into a bucket of cool water. The vase life of Ammi flowers is about 10 days. Consider wearing personal protective equipment while harvesting flowers, as contact with sap can cause skin irritation.
Ammi plants do not need to be fertilized during the growing season as long as soil is well-amended before planting. Blooms will appear over a long season, from early summer through late fall. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage and deadhead spent flower inflorescences to discourage seeds from spreading in the landscape. If propagating Bishop's Lace by seed, make sure to leave some flowering heads to mature and dry out. Placing a mesh bag over the maturing seed heads will ensure that all seeds are collected and are not spread across the landscape. Ammi plants are annuals, and will need to be pulled at the end of the year and composted. They will be replaced in the next season by volunteer plants that sprout from seeds left behind in the soil.
Harvesting Ammi
Ammi makes an excellent filler flower for fresh flower arrangements, providing lacy, delicate white blooms that create a cloud effect. Select firm, healthy flowering stems for harvesting, and using clean, sharp shears or snips, cut them from plants towards their base. Most of the flowers in the inflorescence should be open before stems are cut. The best time to harvest these flowers is in the morning, after dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in. Drop the cut stems immediately into a bucket of cool water. The vase life of Ammi flowers is about 10 days. Consider wearing personal protective equipment while harvesting flowers, as contact with sap can cause skin irritation.
Propagation
The easiest way to propagate Bishop's Lace is by seed. You will need a pot or tray filled with potting soil, a spray bottle and a fork. Once you have gathered all of your materials, follow the instructions below.
- Harvest your seeds once seed heads have dried out and turned brown and brittle. Harvest as many as you can, and plant all of them in your tray; they will probably not all germinate, and over-sowing can guarantee a good crop of seedlings.
- Barely cover the seeds with planting medium (they should be about 3/4 inch into the soil) and keep the soil moist but not wet by spraying it with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7 to 25 days from sowing.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring after frosty temperatures have passed, when it can be transplanted outdoors.
Ammi seeds.
|
The seed pods left behind after Ammi is done flowering.
|
Problems and Pests
Ammi plants are rarely bothered by diseases or pests, however from time to time can have issues with the following:
- Aphids
- Slugs and Snails
- Powdery Mildew
- Clover Yellow Vein Virus
Gallery
Ammi looks great in cottage-style gardens when planted amongst other more colorful annuals.
|
Flowers seem to float above the foliage of these plants.
|
The individual flowers of the Ammi plant are very small, but form in clusters.
|
Here Ammi contrasts well with the spiked inflorescences of purple Delphinium.
|
Ammi makes an airy addition to bouquets and fresh arrangements.
|
Ammi seeds are commonly added to pollinator mixes or meadow garden mixes.
|
Ammi seedlings.
|
Ammi majus foliage.
|
Stems of Ammi plants are strong but herbaceous.
|
Videos
|
How to grow Ammi majus in your garden.
|
At about 3:45, this video provides an overview of Ammi majus.
|
Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 150, Ammi majus (Bishop's Lace)
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
