Ammi majus Seeds

Ammi majus, or as it is also called, Bishop's Flower, brings a delicate, cloud-like beauty to your cottage garden. Imagine stately stems crowned with lacy white umbels that dance in the summer breeze, creating that dreamy, romantic atmosphere every cottage garden deserves. 

Why Your Garden Needs Ammi Majus

There is a reason this flower captures the heart of every gardener who grows it: it is the ultimate "peacemaker" in the flowerbed. Its airy, white blooms act as a neutral foil that harmonises with absolutely everything—cooling down hot reds and oranges, or adding a sparkle to cool blues and purples.

It is often described as having "see-through" qualities. Because the stems are tall and slender and the flower heads are airy, it creates beautiful vertical interest without blocking the view or casting deep shadows on the plants behind it. Whether you are filling a new border or looking for the perfect cut flower, this is a plant that asks for very little but gives so much in return.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Hardy Annual?

Ammi majus is classified as a Hardy Annual. If you are new to gardening terms, don't worry—this is actually great news for you!

Being an "Annual" means it completes its entire life cycle in one year: you sow the seed, it grows, it flowers, and then it sets seed and dies back, all within 12 months. Because it is "Hardy," it is tough enough to withstand frost. This means you don't have to wait until the warmth of spring to start; you can actually sow these seeds in the autumn to establish strong roots over winter for bigger, earlier flowers next year.

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

Ammi majus is wonderfully accommodating, but there are a few little secrets we have learned over the years to get the most magnificent plants.

🌱 Germination (The Light Trick):
This is the most important tip: Your Ammi seeds need light to wake up. When sowing, resist the urge to bury them deep in the soil. Instead, just press them onto the surface of your compost and perhaps dust them with a tiny pinch of vermiculite—think of it as tucking them in with a lightweight sheet rather than a heavy winter duvet.

Where to Sow:
You can sow them directly into the ground where they are to bloom once the soil has warmed up in April, but for the best results, we prefer to start them in seed trays. This gives you more control over the water and protects the baby seedlings from slugs.

Care While Growing:
Once they are large enough to handle, plant them out into the garden. They love a sunny spot but will tolerate a little shade. Because they grow quite tall (up to 1.2m), you may need to give them a little support with a cane or some netting if your garden is particularly windy.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features, helping you decide if this beauty is the right fit for your garden borders.

Recommended Garden Companions

Because Ammi has such neutral, airy white blooms, it pairs beautifully with almost anything. However, here are two of my personal favourites that we sell right here on the website:

• 💙 Cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus): The classic cottage combination. The vivid blue of cornflowers creates a stunning, crisp contrast against the snowy white lace of Ammi. They bloom at the same time and love the same conditions.
• 🌸 Cosmos: For a floaty, romantic look. Both plants are tall and move beautifully in the wind. Planted together, they create a meadow-like effect that looks effortless and sophisticated.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

We recommend succession sowing (sowing small batches a few weeks apart) to extend your flowering window.