Chervil, also called French Parsley and Garden Chervil, is an ancient aromatic annual in the parsley family, with similar fern-like leaves, tiny white flowers, and a sweet flavor that’s a delicate mix of parsley, anise, and pepper. Leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers are all edible. It prefers growing in part shade in moist soil with cool temps, so it’s good for indoor gardens or fall/winter gardens in mild climates. An important ingredient in fines herbes, along with chives, parsley, and tarragon, used extensively in French gourmet cooking. Loses its flavor when dried, so chop or chiffonade to add a freshness to salads, dressings, herb butter, sauces, seafood, peas, poultry, green beans, carrots, eggs, and herbal tea.
As a companion plant, it attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, and repels ants, aphids, slugs, and snails.
As a medicinal herb, Chervil has been used internally to treat arthritis, bronchitis, congestion, cough, gum disease, hiccups, low blood pressure, menstrual cramps, skin problems, and swelling, and externally to treat painful joints, tired eyes, and wounds.
YIELD Medicinal properties are presented as information only, and are not a recommendation or prescription for use. Consult a medical professional before using any herb medicinally.
- Parsley-anise-pepper flavor
- All parts are edible
- Good for indoor gardens
- Good for containers
SEED PLANTING TIPS
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Botanical name: Anthriscus cerefolium
- Life cycle: Herbaceous annual
- Hardiness zones: 3-10
- Planting season: Spring, fall
- Days to maturity: 40-60 days; can begin harvesting when 6" tall
- Depth to plant seeds: 1/4" deep
- Days to germinate (sprout): 14-28 days
- Germination soil temps: 55F-65F
- Spacing between plants: 9"-12" apart
- Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
- # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per sq. ft.
- Soil types: Sandy, loamy, rich, moist, well-drained
- Soil pH: 6.0-7.5
- Sun needs: Full sun, part shade, full shade
- Water needs: Average
- Cold stratify: No
- Frost tolerant: Yes
- Heat tolerant: No
- Drought tolerant: No
- Deer resistant: Yes
- Culinary use: Yes
- Medicinal use: Yes
Good companion plants: Broccoli, Carrot, Cilantro/Coriander, Dill, Lettuce, Mint, Radish, Yarrow
More facts about Chervil:
- Pregnant women were bathed in an infusion of it; a lotion of it was used as a skin cleanser; and it was used medicinally as a blood purifier.
- It was also claimed to be useful as a digestive aid, for lowering high blood pressure, and, infused with vinegar, for curing hiccups
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