Carum carvi Umbelliferae

CULTIVATION A biennial, it can be grown as an annual and is hardy. It has aromatic, feathery, light-green leaves with flat heads of tiny white flowers from midsummer. Reaching 25-45 cm (10-18in), it likes rich, moist soil and full sun. Propagate it by sowing seeds in early spring or late summer, thinning seedlings to 15 cm (6in) apart. Harvest the leaves and flowers when available, but, for drying, pick the flower heads before the seeds explode from their husks in late summer. Caraway is a good garden and border herb.