Chaerophyllum hirsutum Roseum

A little-known, charming and graceful perennial, Chaerophyllum hirsutum 'Roseum' is a splendid umbelliferous plant. Its beautiful finely cut and downy foliage emits a pleasant apple scent. It forms a well-branched bushy clump, with numerous stems bearing flattened umbels of small pink-lilac flowers in spring. A luminous pink mist hovering over the borders!

Chaerophyllum hirsutum, also known as hairy chervil or hairy parsley, is a perennial plant belonging to the Apiaceae (umbelliferous) family. It is native to moist meadows and thickets in mountainous regions of Europe, from Spain to Russia. The 'Roseum' variety is a herbaceous perennial with a taproot, bushy and erect. It forms a thick and ramified stump, measuring 60 to 90 cm (24 to 35in) in height with a spread of 30 to 50 cm (12 to 20in). Its numerous stems, initially reddish-brown, then become light green, hollow at the base and well-branched towards the top. Its deciduous foliage, finely cut, very light and delicate, resembles that of ferns. It is aromatic and emits a delicious apple scent when crushed. It consists of tripinnate, medium green leaves, sometimes tinged with purple, measuring 12 to 30 cm (5 to 12in) long, and covered with a fine down. In May-June, the flowers bloom at the end of the stems, in flattened umbels measuring 4 to 6 cm (2in) in diameter, pink-lilac. Like many umbellifers, its flowering attracts numerous pollinating insects. This 'Roseum' Hairy Chervil will give its best after a year or two, once its root system is well developed.

An ornamental perennial par excellence, this Hairy Chervil is a very easy-to-grow plant, extremely hardy, preferably to be planted in partial shade, in rich and fresh, even moist soil. Forming a beautiful bushy clump with large pink-lilac umbels, this umbelliferous plant will be most effective as a border plant in a partially shaded border, in large fresh rockeries, or in woodland. Its ethereal appearance makes it an excellent plant for a wild or romantic garden atmosphere. It will blend wonderfully with other umbellifers, Astilbes, Hellebores, Astrantias, Columbines, Bugbanes, or with more upright perennials such as Alliums, Aconites, tall Tulips, and Delphiniums. Planting several plants together, leaving a distance of 45 cm (18in), will create a beautiful light and airy garden scene.

Although this plant is not listed as toxic, we do not recommend its culinary use.