| Common Name | Angelica |
| Genus | Angelica |
| Species | Angelica sylvestris ‘Vicar’s Mead’ |
| Family | Apiaceae |
| Life Cycle | Biennial or short-lived perennial; first year forms foliage, second year blooms and then usually dies back but reseeds. |
| Format | 32-cell plug tray |
| Plug Care | Transplant plugs promptly, and avoid root disturbance as much as possible. Firm gently, water deeply, and maintain consistent moisture - Angelica dislikes drought. |
| Netting / Staking | Large umbels make for tall, top-heavy stems - although the strong stems can typically stay vertical in most conditions, staking is recommended in exposed or windy beds. |
| Temperature Range | Hardy to USDA zones 4-9; Angelica prefers cool to moderate climates and tolerates partial shade in hotter zones. |
| Spacing | Space plugs 18-24″ apart to accommodate mature spread and encourage airflow between plants. |
| Soil Preference | Rich, moist, well-drained soils. Prefers humus-rich, slightly acidic to neutral soil and benefits from annual organic mulching. Do not allow the plants to dry out fully, but avoid standing water and waterlogged soils. |
| Day Length | Long-day plant. Provide Angelica with full sun to partial shade; shade benefits plants in hot, humid climates. |
| Pinching | Do not pinch; however remove spent flower heads to reduce seed production and support regrowth. |
| When to Plant | Transplant in spring after frost or in early fall, well before the first frost; either planting will provide second year blooms. |
| Harvesting | For cut or dried use, harvest sturdy umbels when they are fully opened but before the flowers begin to shed. Seed heads can also be harvested for a unique look in arrangements. This is not a commonly grown cut flower so experimentation may be required to determine the perfect stage for harvest. |
| Post Harvest Care | Cut stems should immediately be placed into cool water and left in a cool, dark area to hydrate. The use of a floral preservative will likely maximize vase life. |
| Diseases / Insects | Low pest pressure - watch for the typical insect pests like aphids and thrips. |
| Bailey's Notes | Vicar’s Mead excels as a structural, architectural cut flower with its dramatic purple-tinged stems and domed umbels. Plug-grown plants establish rapidly and deliver impressive second-year blooms up to 6 feet in height - ideal for large scale arrangements and installs. Vicar’s Mead is also a pollinator magnet, increasing field biodiversity if left to flower in the field. As mentioned, it self-sows easily which is great for successive harvests, but if this is undesirable simply cut and remove stems before seeds mature and are shed. |
| Resources | N/A |