How to Grow and Care for Angelica

Wild angelica (Angelica sylvestris) is a large annual or short-lived perennial flowering plant native to Europe and central Asia. It is also present and invasive in Canada, and cultivated as a garden plant elsewhere. Known for its large flowerheads containing tiny individual flowers, wild angelica has many traditional uses.

Garden angelica is widely cultivated for both aesthetic and culinary purposes. Many of this plant's parts are utilized in traditional Asian and Nordic medicine. This plant's delightfully fragrant edible stems and roots are used in liquors and numerous dishes.

Purplestem angelica (Angelica atropurpurea) is a flowering plant native to eastern North America, where it grows in moist woodlands and riverbanks. Though the plant lives for several years, it blooms only once during that time. In the past, purplestem angelica was used ceremonially by some Native American tribes.

Ashitiba is native to the southern islands of Japan. Its species name means "Tomorrow's Leaf" in Japanese, as it is said that if you pick a leaf from the plant today, there will be a new one tomorrow. For centuries, it has been believed the plant has strong medicinal properties, giving it the nickname "Longevity Herb."

Flourishing along coastlines and known to attract bees and butterflies, seacoast angelica is actually associated with protection and was used by indigenous people to keep them safe. Seacoast angelica has also been used as traditional medicine.