Growing AmmiMajus Flowers
AmmiMajus: Fill Your Garden's Ambience with Laceflower's Divine Beauty
Ammi majus is also known as Bishop’s Flower, Bishop’s Weed, Bullworth, Greater Ammi, Lady’s Lace, Laceflower or Queen Anne’s lace. It originated from North Africa and parts of Eurasia. It has white lace-like clusters of flowers thus the names. Bishop’s flower fruits are distinguished by the presence of four secondary ridges that are prominent and by the absence of lacunae on the outside of the vascular bundles.
Ammi majus is well-known in some parts of the world like India as herbal treatment for psoriasis (autoimmune skin disease) and vitiligo (loss of pigment in the skin). This is because of the presence of large amounts of xanthotoxin, furanocoumarin and bergapten in the seed-like fruit of Ammi majus plants. It is also commonly used as a cooking ingredient in India.
The Ammi majus plant is also known as a provider of cut flowers that are long-lasting. When the seed pods are left to ripen, the plant will usually attract songbirds during late summer and fall.
Ammi majus or Bishop’s Flower is an annual that can easily be established from seed. This plant produces an abundant number of large and rounded flower heads that are composed of small white flowers. The flower heads are about five to six inches in size.
Ammi majus plants appear somewhat like a cross between Baby’s Breath and dill. However, their blossoms are different and much larger in size compared to Baby’s Breath.
Also, Ammi majus plants have feathery foliage that is very similar to the dill plant. When in blossom, they are often used as filling for bouquets or a border plant. The Ammi majus plant can reach up to 3 feet in height.
Ammi Majus Propagation
It is recommended to start Ammi majus seeds off under glass around the earlier part of April. These plants don’t like to be transplanted out and as it would be difficult to get going again. The best time to sow seeds is during autumn wherein they are able to establish a root base easily hence the plant will be stronger and produce more flowers. For planting during spring, remember to wait until the danger of frost is over and plant the seeds about 1/6th inch deep where they can grow properly. The seeds should be spaced around 12 inches apart on an area where they will get full sun.
How to Grow Ammi Majus
Ammi majus can grow well in most types of soil. However, they prefer well-drained soil with a lot of organic matter. If the soil in your area is heavy clay, it is advisable to dig in some sand and compost in order to help with drainage and improve the soil. This plant is a late bloomer. Even if it is planted early in the spring, it will not blossom until around late in July. However, flowering will usually continue until autumn even after the blossoms have died off. This annual likes full sun but can also do well in partial shade depending on the soil type. Remember to water them during prolonged dry periods.
