Ammi visnaga The giant - Toothpick plant

The Ammi visnage or Herbe aux cure-dents, is an annual known as annual fennel for its antispasmodic, vasodilatory, and diuretic properties, which has a strong covering power.

This annual herb has an upright, branched, and spreading habit, reaching up to 1 m (3ft). Its foliage is evergreen, very airy and vaporous, light green in colour, glaucous. The stems are channelled, very thin, and were once used as toothpicks. Annual fennel is interesting for its very long flowering period from July to autumn. The inflorescence is in compound umbels, meaning that large umbels consist of small umbels, which in turn have small flowers with 5 unequal petals. The colour of the flowers changes between white, cream white, acid green, and yellowish green depending on the progress of flowering and fruiting. The fruits are small, dry, and brown. The plant emits a slight fragrance that is not always appreciated.

Originally from Egypt and North Africa, this annual fennel is planted in spring, in flower beds, in non-specific soil with a preference for clayey soils, in sunny or semi-shady areas. This plant does not require any particular maintenance, but be careful with its propagation as it can quickly become invasive.

The flowers can be used as cut flowers for fresh or dried arrangements.

Note: Attention, our young plug plants are professional products reserved for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them in sheltered areas (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before being installed outdoors once the risk of frost is definitively eliminated.