Ammi visnaga (Toothpick Weed)

Adding a delicate airiness to borders or fresh bouquets, Ammi visnaga (Toothpick Weed) is a lovely hardy annual or biennial plant with large domed umbels, up to 5 in. across (12 cm), of densely packed white flowers which mingle gracefully with the other plants in the border. The finely divided foliage is attractive and acts as a light but effective filler, making this plant one of the best filler foliage plants. Blooming over a reasonably long period, from early summer until fall, Ammi visnaga remains attractive in the cold season thanks to its dried flower heads, which will be visited in the fall and winter by birds that feed on the seeds.

• Fairly pest-free and low maintenance, add this charming and graceful plant to the landscape, and you will be rewarded with abundant happy butterflies, bees and pollinating insects!
• Vigorously growing up to 3-4 ft. high (90-120 cm) and spreading up to 16-18 in. (40-45 cm), Toothpick Weed is an ideal addition to beds and borders, cottage gardens and cutting gardens, as it makes excellent fresh cut flowers with a vase life up to 10 days. Looks fabulous with Lilies, Roses, Agastache (Anise Hyssop) or Eryngium (Sea Holly).
• Performs best in full sun or part shade, in rich, moist, well-drained soils. May be grown from seeds in fall or spring. Sow seeds outdoors after all danger of frost has passed or indoors 6-8 weeks prior to the last spring frost date. Will freely self-seed under satisfying growing conditions.
• Contact with sap may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction.

Ammi visnaga is a species that belongs to the carrot family and is native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. This annual or biennial herb has been traditionally used as a medicinal plant but is now grown by gardeners for its airy clouds of lacy flowers and attractive foliage. Leaves are up to 8 in. long (20 cm) and generally oval to triangular, but dissected into many small linear to lance-shaped segments.