Myrrhis odorata

Sweet cicely, Myrrhis odorata, is an old cottage garden perennial, traditionally grown near the kitchen door, where its prettily divided fern-like leaves were at hand for sweetening tart fruit. It's an airy and graceful plant, yet is able to shrug off cold weather and starts into growth at the end of winter. The flowers open early in the year too, and are some of the first available for pollinators.

Grow Myrrhis odorata in well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Cut down the exhausted flower stems to encourage more young growth. Propagate by seed in autumn or spring.