Cow Parsley Seeds (Anthriscus sylvestris)

A familiar and beloved British wildflower, with frothy umbels of white bloom that herald the arrival of late spring. It forms soft, ferny foliage and graceful airy flower heads, and brings height, structure and wildlife value to hedgerows, woodland edges, wildflower meadows or informal garden areas.

Key Features:

• Produces lacy white umbels of flowers offering a visual lightness and early nectar sources
• Tall growth habit adding vertical layering to wildflower schemes without overwhelming smaller plants
• A robust biennial that can self-seed once established, maintaining presence
• Thrives in partially shaded areas, making it ideal for woodland edge or hedgerow planting
• Native British species, supporting a large variety of different pollinators
• Approx. 200 seeds per 1g

Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) is often described as the queen of spring hedgerows, its finely divided leaves form a soft green base from which hollow stems rise in late winter to early spring. In April through June it flowers in open umbels of delicate white blossoms, arranged in loosely clustered heads that sway in the breeze and attract numerous pollinators.

It does well in both full sun and light dappled shade; many traditional landscapes show it thriving at woodland margins, road verges, hedgerow bases or in parts of meadows where shade creeps in. Cow Parsley benefits from a period of cold to break seed dormancy, which is part of the reason autumn sowing is often recommended. Although it is fairly forgiving once established, its strong tap‑root means transplanting is not ideal, direct sowing tends to provide better success.

While exuberant in its early years, Cow Parsley in mixed wildflower plantings blends beautifully rather than dominating, its height adds vertical interest in spring and early summer, and once past flowering the plants die back, making way for other species while leaving seed to carry on.

Cow Parsley can be sown either in late summer or early autumn, or in early spring. Autumn sowing is preferred in many cases, since the cold over winter helps to break seed dormancy and encourages earlier germination in spring.

To sow, prepare a fine, firm seedbed free of weeds. Remove existing vegetation, rake the soil to a fine tilth, and gently firm it, scattering the seed thinly and cover lightly, no more than 1–2 mm of compost or soil is enough, just sufficient to ensure soil contact and moisture retention, keeping the seedbed just damp through the first weeks while germination takes place.

Once the plants are growing, Cow Parsley is low maintenance, if needed, foliage can be thinned to reduce overcrowding, especially in mixed wildflower areas.

After flowering, allowing some seed heads to mature ensures natural reseeding.

For garden applications direct sow at 1g/m2. For overseeding existing meadow planting or for new sowings on larger areas sow at a maximum of 2g/m2.

Cow Parsley is ideal for planting in hedgerow banks, woodland edges, road verges, meadow borders, and informal or naturalistic gardens. Its early white umbels are very attractive to bees, hoverflies, butterflies and other beneficial insects, providing much‑needed early nectar. The fern‑like foliage provides structure and habitat for insects; its height offers visual interest in early season before taller and later perennials take over.

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Q1: When will Cow Parsley flower after sowing?

A: If sown in autumn, you can expect foliage to develop over winter, with flowering in the following spring (April‑June).

Q2: Does Cow Parsley self‑seed and can it become invasive?

A: Yes, Cow Parsley readily sets seed and can self‑seed in suitable conditions. While it adds charm and wildlife interest, in small or closely managed planting areas it may become quite vigorous.

Q3: Does it prefer shade or sun?

A: It thrives in full sun but also tolerates light to dappled shade very well, making it useful at woodland edges or under hedges. Deep, dense shade however may reduce flowering.

Q4: What soil types suit Cow Parsley best?

A: Cow Parsley prefers soils that are well‑drained with moderate fertility. It is adaptable to a range of soils (loam, clay, sand) though extremely wet soils or very compacted sites are less ideal.