Angelica archangelica
Origin: Philomath, Oregon
Improvement status: Cultivated wild material
Seeds per packet: ~100
Germination tested 12/2024: 77%
Life cycle: Biennial (or short-lived perennial)
Angelica, sometimes referred to as garden angelica and wild celery, is from the Apiaceae family. It is a biennial plant, cultivated for its sweetly scented edible stems and roots.
Our seed comes from our friend, the great Frank Morton, of Wild Garden Seeds in Oregon.
NOTE: Germination rate and seed life duration is notoriously low on angelica.
GROWING TIPS: Angelica seed is notorious for being difficult to germinate. This seed was collected in the fall of 2018, and it is has been kept in fridge since then to mimic its fussy stratification habit, which is essentially wild.
With seed that is dried out like ours, we recommend starting seeds in pots or trays with potting soil (get it wet), placing these in a plastic bag, and putting them in the fridge for 2-3 weeks. Angelica seed needs direct sunlight for germination. DO NOT bury the seed when you plant it. Instead, scatter it on top of the soil that you are planting into, and keep it wet. Remove from fridge and take pots/trays out of plastic bag, then set outside in direct sun.
You can also try direct seeding in the spring by simply scattering seed on top of prepared soil and keeping it wet.