Queen Anne's Lace (Silk-ka) Gold With Snow 97cm (2024)

FAQs

Is Queen Anne's lace a perennial or annual? ›

Queen Anne's lace is a biennial plant, which means it takes two years to go through its biological life cycle. 1. Plant seeds in the early fall.

Queen Anne's Lace is so adaptable that in some habitats it crowds out native species that can't compete with its vigorous growth. Many people consider Queen Anne's lace an invasive weed (it is listed as a noxious weed in at least 35 states), but it is used by some native animals for food.

Queen Anne's Lace grows in dry, sunny areas and disturbed sites, roadsides, open fields and meadows, and woodland edges. In the Adirondack Mountains, it is found in at least two ecological communities: Calcareous Pavement Woodland and Successional Old Field.

This biennial plant persists in clay soils and can be a threat to recovering grasslands. After going to seed the dried flower takes on a “birds' nest” like appearance and can move like a tumble weed to help spread its seeds.

This toxic plant looks almost identical to harmless Queen Anne's Lace wildflowers. Emma Phelps is an Editorial Fellow who covers lifestyle, beauty, and food content for Southernliving.com.

Other dangerous imposters of Queen Anne's Lace are Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum), and Fool's Parsley (Aethusa cynapium). We're getting overwhelmed! A tiny purple or red flower in the center of the bloom is a hint that it's Queen Anne's Lace rather than an imposter.

Key differences between Poison Hemlock and Queen Anne's Lace

Stems: The stem of poison hemlock is smooth with purple blotches whereas the stem of Queen Anne's lace is ribbed and hairy. The hollow, finger-thick stems of poison hemlock are considerably thicker than the solid stems of Queen Anne's lace.

Queen Anne's lace is a threat to recovering grasslands. Warning: Avoid skin contact with the toxic sap of the plant by wearing gloves, long sleeves and long pants. Queen Anne's lace also looks very similar to hemlock species that can be deadly if ingested.

Coming into contact with Queen Anne's lace will not cause a problem for many people, but those with sensitive skin may develop irritation or blistering, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Ingesting parts of the plant can be toxic for some people and animals, however.

Should I pull out Queen Anne's lace? ›

Hand-pulling or mowing can be effective to control Queen Anne's lace in the mid- to late summer before seed set. However, herbicide applications have proven the most effective method of control.

Herbalists historically used it as an antiseptic, to soothe the digestive tract, and as a diuretic. Others grated the root of Queen Anne's lace and mixed it with oil to calm topical burns. Consuming the purple bloom in the center of the flower was once believed to cure epilepsy.

Queen Anne's Lace has delicate lace-like flowers and is associated with beauty. The flower is sometimes referred to as 'bishops flower' and therefore it has become to symbolise sanctuary, safety and refuge.

Queen Anne's lace is said to be named after Queen Anne herself. Queen Anne was well versed in lacemaking. One day while sewing she pricked herself with a needle. A drop of blood fell unto her lace, leaving a single dark purple floret in the center of the flower.

Queen Anne's lace is related to dill and cilantro and is often referred to as wild carrot. Like the garden carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus), it is a biennial plant—completing its life cycle in two years.

Fresh cut Queen Anne's Lace has a vase life of three to seven days. Proper preparation and care will keep the flower fresh longer. Harvest Queen Anne's Lace flowering stems in the morning, after the dew is gone. Cut the stems longer than you will need, using a sharp knife or sharp hand shears.