Angelica dahurica

‘BLBP02’

CHINESE MEDICINAL ANGELICA

Angelica dahurica ‘BLBP02’
CHINESE MEDICINAL ANGELICA

Angelica dahurica ‘BLBP02’ is a recently released new variety that has been especially bred for enhanced and commercial herbal qualities.
But it also makes a stately and majestic garden plant.
As well as having a wealth of both practical and commercial uses (see below).

Handsome architecture in the garden

Angelica dahurica ‘BLBP02’ bears huge white umbrellas of flowers.
While the foliage is also large, handsome and architectural.
So it’s strong structure makes a wonderful background for finer flowers in a garden bed.
Plus the large, white, starburst shaped flower heads add extra drama in late summer and autumn.

Striking cut flowers

The large white heads make wonderful and long lasting cut flowers in a vase, giving the arrangement a big impact.

Newly developed enhanced variety

This newly developed strain ‘BLBP02’ has superior qualities of enhanced essential oil content, larger yield of roots for culinary and commercial uses, and more vigorous growth with greater disease resistance.

Insect repelling companion plant

Angelica dahurica ‘BLBP02’ is also a useful companion to plant near your Brassica crops, such as Cabbage and Cauliflower, and helps to deter pesky insects.

Self sowing garden regular

Angelica archangelica ‘BLBP02’ is very showy, upright, and the parent plant lives for many years.
However it will also self-sow each year if you allow the heads to go to seed.
So let it drop seed if you would like extra  plants for the following year.

Hardy woodlander

Plant the Chinese Medicinal Angelica in Part Shade; the Dappled light under trees and shrubs; or where it gets Morning Sun.
It absolutely loves woodland conditions with plenty of leaf litter.
Where it is frost hardy and copes in a wide variety of soils, including clay.
However Angelica archangelica ‘BLBP02’ really relishes heavier soils such as those with a clay base, plenty of mulch, and even boggy spots.
While it may struggle in very dry, sandy soil.

Hardy, easy, low maintenance, self renewing modern herb.
Approx. 1.8m. High with dramatic foliage and flower heads x 90cm. Wide.

SEED SOWING ADVICE:

Sow seeds of Angelica dahurica ‘BLBP02’ at any time indoors in a punnet / or scatter directly in garden in autumn and winter.

Indoors: First sow the seeds on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then barely cover the seed with 1.5mm of sieved mix.
Because these seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the punnet by standing in a shallow water bath. And allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Drain and place the moist, sown punnet in a warm, well-lit position that cools down at night (alternating warm / cool temperatures are beneficial for germination).

Daytime temperatures of 15-20°C approx. are ideal for rapid and optimum germination.

Continue to keep the punnet moist by misting the punnet from a spray water bottle.
And covering the punnet with a clear plastic or glass lid will help to maintain consistent moisture and prevent drying out.

Because these seeds really respond to stable moisture levels.

Seeds germinate in approx. 21 days but can come across a period 2-4 weeks.

However if the seeds are shy to germinate – it means they are dormant, and they need a period of chilling to break dormancy.
So wrap the punnet in cling-wrap or a plastic bag, and keep in the fridge (not freezer) for 2-4 weeks.

Then return the moist punnet to the warm, well-lit position at approx. 15-20C for germination. But do not discard the punnet too quickly, as seeds will continue to germinate over a period. Which is normal for Angelica.

Seed Count: 35 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

COOKING, HISTORY, MYTHS & LEGENDS

Angelica is a completely useful plant, on top of being so decorative.
Because leaves, roots, stems and seeds are all edible, and all have modern culinary and historic medicinal uses.

Cooking

Young stems are harvested and chopped raw into salads, while thicker stems are delicious steamed and served with butter. For a taste sensation try roasted stems together with onions and pork.

Candied Angelica stems are a cake maker’s delight.
While the dried Angelica seeds give a real lift to soups, scrambled eggs, custards and white sauce.
And Angelica’s distinctive flavour is an essential ingredient in much loved liqueurs such as Bénédictine, Vermouth, Dubonnet and Chartreuse.

Medicinal

Angelica dahurica has long been used in traditional Chinese Medicine to aid digestion, and angelica chews are still popular today to settle the tummy.
While Angelica dahurica ‘BLBP02’ has been recently bred for modern commercial use.

History, myths and legends

The botanical name for Angelica comes from Latin, where the word “angelica” means ‘angelic’.
And it refers to the plant’s medicinal and healing properties being on the side of the angels.

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