Great Angelica (Angelica purpurea)

Great Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea)

Great Angelica is a striking plant, known for its towering, hollow purple stems, leaves that can reach up to 2 feet long and its large, globe-like clusters of greenish white flowers. Reaching heights of 4 to 8 feet, it adds a very unique architectural element to gardens. This plant thrives in moist to wet soils and is often found along streambanks, in wet meadows, and woodlands throughout Wisconsin, though it still performs well in normal garden conditions. It's a short lived perennial, but readily self-sows so we always have Angelica plants in the area we planted it years ago.  And if you cut off the flower before it produces seed, it will grow and flower again the following year.

Growing Conditions:

• Light: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Medium to wet, rich soils

• Height: 4–8 feet

• Spread: 2–4 feet

• Zones: 3–7

• Bloom time: May, June

Wildlife Value:

Great Angelica is the larval host plant for the Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes asterius) and it's unique, nectar-rich flowers attract a variety of small bees.