James H. Schutte
Family
Apiaceae
Botanical Name
ANETHUM graveolens 'Bouquet'
Plant Common Name
Dill
General Description
The tall, sturdy dill cultivar, 'Bouquet', has fine, pale green foliage and produces lots of extra-large blooms, so its a great selection for dill seed. Both its foliage and seeds are fragrant and delicious.
The pleasing and distinctive smell of dill brings to mind dill pickles, summer salads and gravad lox. Dill is an annual Eurasian field weed that is quite short-lived but very easy to grow. It's a versatile culinary herb; the seeds are used in pickling and lacy leaves can be chopped and used to season salads, vegetables or fish. In the wild, it favors open, disturbed sites and has become naturalized in several countries, including much of North America.
Dill germinates in spring as soon as the soil begins to warm. Soon, upright clusters of finely dissected, bright sea green leaves are produced. These are very fragrant when brushed. The leaves are at their fullest and best for harvest just before plants begin to flower in early to midsummer. The blooms are large, umbrella-like umbels with chartreuse yellow flowers. These are pollinated by insects and heads of flattened, fragrant seeds follow. Shortly after flowering, the plants begin to turn brown and die.
Dill is a full sun plant that thrives in average to fertile soil with good drainage. It grows best with regular water but will tolerate periods of drought. Dill is grown easily from seed and has a tendency to self-sow vigorously if its heads are allowed to litter the ground with seed. The plants are an important food source for black swallowtail butterfly larvae, so it’s a great plant for butterfly gardens. It's also an herb garden essential.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
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Plant Type
Herb
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Height
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Width
12"-18" / 30.5cm - 45.7cm
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
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Native To
Europe, Southern Asia, Western Asia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam
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Growth Rate
Very Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Upright/Erect
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Yellow, Chartreuse
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Fruit Color
Sandy Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Light Green, Sea Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Light Green, Sea Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
Yes
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Fragrant Foliage
Yes
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
Yes
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
Yes
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
