Full Sun
Moderate care
Light watering
Frost Hardy
H7
RHS hardiness
-20°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
---|---|---|
50cm | Max | 60cm |
30cm | Min | 20cm |
2 years to reach maturity
Flowering
spring
summer
autumn
winter
This plant has a mild fragrance


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Wild Carrot Overview
Daucus carota is the wild form of the commonly cultivated carrot. It is commonly known by the names wild carrot, bird's nest, bishop's lace, and Queen Anne's lace in North America. Domesticated carrots have the latin name Daucus carota ssp. sativus, these have evolved from wild carrot, Daucus carota and are now extensively grown worldwide. Domestication is thought to have occurred in China, over 1000 years ago. Historically purple, yellow and red carrots were the only forms to be cultivated before the 15-16th century. It is only in modern times that we expect carrots to be orange. Daucus carota is a herbaceus biennial plant from the carrot family, Apiaceae and it produces a characteristic edible taproot. This ranges in size, shape and colour across different varieties. Purple, white and yellow carrots are commonly grown for consumption along with the orange domesticated carrot. Typically it grows between 30-60cm tall, producing finely divided, hairy foliage which has a lacy appearance, foliage is broadly triangular in shape and alternately arranged on stems. Flowers are arranged in flattened structures called umbels, these measure approximately 8-10cm across. An umbel is a cluster of stems which radiate from a central point, producing flowers on stalks of roughly equal length, to form a flattened or slightly rounded, horizontal surface of flowers. They are white in colour and umbel arrangements are characteristic of the carrot family, Apiaceae. Blooms may open from pinkish buds and sometimes have a red or purple flower in the centre of the umbel. Flowering occurs from mid-summer through to autumn and wild carrot is known to support a huge range of pollinating insects including butterflies, bees, beetles and hoverflies. This plant is a good choice for informal borders and wildflower gardens. Flowers lead onto flattened, oval fruits which are covered in hooked spines. After flowers are spent, the umbel dries up, detaches from the plant and becomes tumbleweed.
Common problems with Wild Carrot
Wild Carrot Companion Plants
Broad Bean
Vicia faba
Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
Coriander
Coriandrum sativum
Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
Leek
Allium porrum
Lettuce
Lactuca sativa
Lovage
Levisticum officinale
Onion
Allium cepa
Pea
Pisum sativum
Raphanus sativus
Raphanus sativus
Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
Common Sage
Salvia officinalis
Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
How to harvest Wild Carrot
Carrots mature at around 2-4 months. Harvest when the desired maturity is reached. To store freshly harvested carrots, twist off the tops, scrub off the dirt under cold running water, let dry and seal in an airtight plastic bag.
How to propagate Wild Carrot
Seed
Readily self-seeds.
Special features of Wild Carrot
Pot plant
Choose a container at least 20 cm deep to allow the roots to grow.
Drought resistant
Crop rotation
Can be used in a rotation as the root crop that follows the leaf crop.
Attracts useful insects
Attractive flowers
Other uses of Wild Carrot
Wildflower/meadow, dried arrangements, vegetable, food, culinary. Attracts butterflies
Medicinal
Believed by the Ancient Greeks to be a stomach tonic, it is still widely used in health drinks or juices, particularly for its high levels of vitamins (particularly vitamins A and E).
Edible
The taproot and the leaves are edible and used raw, cooked or preserved.
Flowers to Sow Outside in October
Direct sow these during October where you want them to flower next year!
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