Growing Queen Anne’s Lace: A Timeless Garden Favorite
Queen Anne’s lace adds an aura of romance and nostalgia to a garden. Often used by florists as a filler in arrangements, the flat-topped, ivory flower clusters resemble small doilies.
“Queen Anne’s lace looks good in any garden situation, but it is especially suited for cottage-style gardens planted near other tall flowers like delphiniums, foxglove, snapdragons, and stock,” says Norm Yoder of Friday House Gardens, a nursery in Country Roads Antiques in Orange.
Though regularly used in floral arrangements and for drying, Queen Anne’s lace is not always easy to find in nurseries. However, its popularity is growing, and some specialty nurseries carry it on occasion.
About Queen Anne’s Lace
A member of the carrot family, Queen Anne’s lace has lacy foliage similar to carrots and dill. There are two main types:
- Ammi majus: The florist variety, typically larger and more commonly found in nurseries.
- Daucus carota: The true Queen Anne’s lace, featuring a distinct dark purple dot said to represent a drop of Anne Boleyn’s blood.
How to Grow Queen Anne’s Lace
- Plant in full or partial sun in well-drained soil.
- If soil is heavy clay, amend with 50% compost.
- Fertilize with an all-purpose granular fertilizer at planting, and use a phosphorus-rich fertilizer before bloom.
- Water regularly to keep soil moist but not soggy.
- For containers, use pots at least 14 inches deep. Amend soil with compost and fertilize as above.
- Deadhead flowers to encourage more blooms and prevent self-seeding.
- Cut when flowers peak; they last up to two weeks in water.
- To dry, hang upside down in a cool, dark space until completely dry.
- Save seeds by letting some heads mature. Let seeds drop naturally or collect and replant them later.
Seed Sources
- Ledgerwood Seeds – Carlsbad, carries Ammi majus seeds. (619) 729-3282
- Heirloom Garden Seed Co. – Guerneville, CA, carries Daucus carota seeds. (707) 887-9129
