Guide to growing Myrrhis - Anise
The Myrrhis genus has only one member, but goes under many names; it is a hardy perennial and grows from between 90cm and 1.5m in heights.
Its seeds are used in culinary use. The common names for Myrrhis include Chervil, Anise, Myrrh, Anise fern and Sweet Cicely.
Chervil comes into bloom in the summer and carries small white flowers; the foliage of the plant is fern like.
How to grow Anise
The seeds of Anise should be sown outdoors in the winter about 3 months before the last frost of spring is expected. Sow the Anise seeds at about 3mm deep into either a sunny or partially shaded part of the garden. Anise likes to grow in deep soil, that is fertile (mix in manure deeply when sowing).
If you prefer to first grow Anise plants indoors then sow the seeds about two months before they are due outdoors (in the spring or autumn). The first step requires that you freeze the seeds for one month. Next sow at a temperature of 12 to 18 degrees centigrade. It should take from two to six weeks for the Anise seeds to germinate. Once ready transplant Anise at about 60cm apart.
Caring for Anise plants
It is easy to care for Myrrhis: Chervil and Anise plants as long as they have a deep soil to grow in.
If you are planning to harvest seeds for use in the kitchen, then let them set, otherwise deadhead the plants before the seeds set as Anise is likely to spread uncontrollably given a chance.