False Queen Annes Lace

Two species are grown for cutting: Ammi majus with especially fine, flat lace umbels and Ammi visnaga with denser, domed, greener umbels on sturdier stems. Ammi visnaga usually lasts a little longer in the vase, while Ammi majus looks even more delicate and wild. In the trade both are often lumped together simply as ammi or dill flower.

In floral work ammi is a filler with a floating effect: it is set one level higher than the main blooms so the umbels dance freely above roses, lisianthus or sweet peas. Exactly this trick creates the grown-from-the-meadow look that defines boho and vintage weddings.

Compared with classic gypsophila, ammi reads greener, more botanical and less sugary, which is why many brides now prefer it. In monochrome white arrangements it adds depth too, because the umbels shift from greenish white to pure white as they mature.

When buying we look for umbels that are only just lightening: once every floret is open and snow-white, the vase life is nearly over and the umbel starts to shed. Soft, drooping foliage is the second warning sign, as ammi is a thirsty soft-stemmed cut.

Important when handling: the sap of ammi contains furanocoumarins, which combined with sunlight can cause skin irritation. Anyone working with a lot of ammi is better off in long sleeves or washing their forearms afterwards, an old growers rule that also applies to wild carrot.