I would buy this again
5
To lighten borders
Claude
London
Anthriscus sylvestris 'Ravenswing'
cow parsley
2 litre pot
available to order from summer
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: fast
- Flowering period: May to July
- Hardiness: fully hardy
An elegant purple form of common cow parsley, this has pretty clusters of tiny, creamy-white flowers in late spring and early summer, highlighted by the lacy, deeply cut dark purple foliage. This plant is biennial or a short-lived perennial, but it self-seeds freely unless you remove the spent flower heads. This makes it a perfect plant for a wild garden or meadow, and an effective companion to ornamental grasses. - Garden care: Support with brushwood or link stakes in spring before the flowers appear. In autumn cut it back to just above ground level and apply a generous layer of mulch around the roots.
Eventual height & spread
Notes on Anthriscus sylvestris 'Ravenswing'
"The sophisticated, dark-leaved form of our native cow parsley has delicate, white lacy umbels that are perfect for wilder areas where soft blowsy planting is needed"
Like fairies sparkling in the woodland
5
I planted this in my garden in an informal border on the edge of a woodland and it thrived - it was magical like cow parsley but with its pretty, delicate tiny white clusters of flowers catching the light against a contrast of dark purple, lacy foliage. Absolutely loved it.
Passiflora
West Yorkshire
Fast growing, prone to slugs!
4
This plant is a strong and fast grower, if only the slugs would leave it alone. Sadly, mine didn't get a chance to shine but am confident it'll come back next year?
LinZik64
York
Beautiful and fast growing!
5
I bought 5 of these plants a month or so ago and they were pretty small when they arrived, but they have now romped away and are flowering prolifically bobbing about about 60cm or so high so far - the foliage together with the delicate white flowers makes them a beautiful addition to the border. I'm growing them along side molinia grasses and Actaea 'Queen of Sheba' - they go together perfectly.
PerennialClaire
Greater Manchester
Attempting something new
4
I knew that the plant was past it's usual flowering time. It was not quite what I wanted. That was maroon coloured stalks, which were shown in the picture and this plant had dark grey stalks. The plant has withstood the winter and I am looking forward to seeing it flower next year and to seeding and producing new plants after that.
Revd Magi
Reading
Excellent packaging
5
Great service. Plants as described.
Blackfinger
Southampton
Raven swing
5
Good quality
Dean
Kings heath birmingham
Time honoured favourite
5
Seems to thrive in semi shade or light sun - looks stunning with light sunshine playing through the feathery foliage and delicate flowers. Have planted masses and self seeds so perfect filler for me.
Myrtle
South West London
Not a great addition to my new border in its first year.
1
Planted in a new border that had been top dressed with Black Gold compost/soil improver and blood fish and bone. Plants seemed to struggle to establish, hoping it will be better this year.
Denise
Hampshire
Absolutely delighted with it so far
5
I am delighted. We are end of April and they are flowering, adding some light clouds of pretty white flowers in the middle of my tulips and making the garden much more alive than with just tulips. The back leaves are almost invisible against the earth, so they really float in the air. I dont often write reviews but I'm taking the time for this one as it's been pure delight so far.
CaroLondon
London
2487
4.5
11
90.9
- Will this biennial plant flower this year? Thanks!
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New digger
-
Hello, We can never guarantee that a plant will flower in a particular year as this is mainly determined by external things like the available water, light and nutrients, however I would say there is an excellent chance that it will flower this year.
Helen
- If the seed is collected or allowed to spread naturally, will the new plants remain the purple variety, or is it possible that ordinary cow parsley will appear?
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Ian45
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Hello, If 'Ravenswing' is grown in isolation, there is a good chance that may of the seedlings will also have darker leaves, but inevitably some will not, so these will need to be thinned out as they appear.
Helen
- It has appeared to me that some anthriscus have pink tinged flowers,is that due to the photos?
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old-timer
-
Hello, The Anthriscus sylvestris Ravenswing has creamy white flowers, but they are surrounded by small pink bracts.
helen
- as anthriscus sylvestris is a form of cow parsley does it have the same root formation ? it looks ideal for what I want but I'm not keen to plant anything quite as vigorous as the wild variety. Bronwen
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rocketdog
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Hello, This plant will colonise an area quite quickly if it is happy as although it is a biennial or a short-lived perennial, it can self-seed freely.
helen
- 2006 Planting Chelsea Flower Show enquiry Hi, I see you have plants available for the current show, but do you have a plant list for the 2006 award winner (Daily Telegraph,Tom Stuart Smith) available as I am interested in buying some of these plants? Thank you for your time, Kelly
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kelly mackenzie
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Hello Kelly, He did use a lot of plants in his garden - here is a list which includes most. Allium Purple Sensation Anthriscus Ravens Wing Aquilegia Ruby Port Astrantia Claret Carex testacea Cirsium rivulare atropurpureum Dahlia Dark Desire Euphorbia Fireglow Geranium Lily Lovell Geranium phaeum Samobor Geranium Phillipe Valpelle Geranium psilostemmon Geum Princess Juliana Gillenia trifoliata Hakonechloa macra Iris Dusky Challenger Iris Dutch Chocolate Iris Sultan's Palace Iris Superstition Iris Supreme Sultan Knautia macedonica Lavandula angustifolia Nepeta subsessilis Washfield Nepeta Walkers low Purple fennel - Giant Bronze Rodgersia pinnata Superba Rodgersia podophylla Salvia Mainacht Sedum matrona Stachys byzantina Stipa arundinacea (syn.Anemanthele lessoniana) Stipa gigantea Tulip Abu Hassan Tulip Ballerina Tulip Queen of Night Verbascum Helen Johnston I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor
Crocus Helpdesk
- How to prune Anthriscus sylvestris 'Ravenswing' I purchased an Anthriscus sylvestris 'Ravenswing' plant from you 1 or 2 years ago and it has flowered really well this year. The flowers are now running to seed and I am not sure what to do with it. It has no leaves at the base, only at stem junctions. Should I cut the flower heads off, cut it back further, or leave it alone? I lost a previous plant, possibly by cutting it hard back, so I am a bit wary of making another mistake! any advice would be very helpful. Carole
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Carole Tyson
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Hello Carole,These plants are often quite short-lived, so your previous plant may simply have died of natural causes. They usually self seed though, which encourages more plants to follow on in subsequent years. If you want your plant to self-seed, then leave the spent flowerheads on until it has released its seeds in late summer or autumn. After that the plant should be cut back to just above ground level and a generous layer of mulch applied around the root area.
Crocus Helpdesk
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