Helping You Become a More Successful Gardener
Plant Search
James H. Schutte
Apiaceae
Petroselinum crispum var. tuberosum
Hamburg Parsley, Parsley, Root Parsley, Tuberous Parsley
Root parsley is a biennial herb grown for its tasty roots, which have a nutty flavor reminiscent of celery. The foliage can be used sparingly as a garnish. Parsley is native to southern Europe and is most often grown as an annual vegetable. The long, white, carrot-like roots are ready to harvest around 100 days after planting.
Plants produce clumps of ferny, many-divided leaves from a long, white taproot. The leaves have a stronger, more bitter flavor than those of leaf parsley. Root parsley is typically harvested in the first year, but it’s technically a biennial. In the summer of the second year, plants bear flat umbels of tiny yellowish flowers on upright stems. These are followed by lots of brown, flattened seed fruits that fall to the ground and often germinate. After blooming and setting seed, the plant will die.
Grow this tuberous herb in full sun and loose, fertile, well-drained soil. Its roots taste best in the first year. Like parsnips, tuberous parsley has the sweetest flavor after exposure to a few frosts. Plants are commonly grown from seed and planted in spring. They can also be planted in fall in areas with mild winters. Sow root parsley seed directly in the garden or set out small plants.
Root parsley can be treated like any other fall or winter root vegetable. It can be eaten raw but is best enjoyed sautéed, roasted or pureed in soups. This is a pleasing plant for the herb or vegetable garden. The leaves are a favorite food for black swallowtail larvae, so it’s an excellent choice for butterfly gardens as well.
9 - 1
5 - 9
A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Vegetable
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
12"-18" / 30.5cm - 45.7cm
12"-24" / 30.5cm - 61.0cm
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
Southern Europe
Neutral
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Fast
Average Water
Clump-Forming
Spring, Summer, Fall
Insignificant
Yellow Green
Sandy Brown
Green
No
Yes
Single
Medium
Glossy
Semi-Evergreen
Edible, Herb / Vegetable
Butterflies
© 2006-2012 Preferred Commerce. All Rights Reserved.
