Perfoliate Alexanders

An elegant biennial, the flowers of Smyrnium make a hazy display above striking foliage, an unusual addition to an early summer border or in a sunny glade below trees in a woodland setting. Rounded leaves encircle the stems, lower leaves are green, becoming yellowish green above, the delicate yellowish green umbels of the flower heads are borne at the top of the stems. Perfoliate Alexanders is easily grown from seed and flowers in its second season. When to sow: autumn or spring, plant out in position to flower the following year.