Plant it: A dilly to grow
May 1, 2010
Sonia Day
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Dill Anethum graveolens
Dill can be a nuisance. This tall gangly herb drops more seeds than almost any other plant. You may wind up regretting the day you introduced the dratted stuff to a small garden.
However, here on my big country spread, I adore dill. The feathery stalks with splayed flowerheads look elegant interspersed among annual flowers like zinnias and cosmos. Dill is also a dilly to grow. Just scatter seeds. Up it comes. While the leaves are still pint-sized, I like to chop them in salmon sandwiches and tsatsiki, the popular Greek dish made from cucumbers and plain yoghurt.
Dill is also blissfully unbothered by bugs. Except one, that is — a large green, yellow and black caterpillar. I’m actually thrilled when I spot this interloper munching on a dill leaf, because it’s the larva of one of the biggest and most beautiful butterflies on the planet, the Black Swallowtail — Papilio polyxenes.
The caterpillar’s presence means I can — hurray — look forward to butterflies. These have black and/or yellow wings with dabs of blue and scarlet. They look breathtakingly gorgeous fluttering from flower to flower. Like many butterflies, Swallowtails aren’t as plentiful as they used to be, so if you want to encourage them, plant anything in the Anethum family, which includes carrots, parsley and wild Queen Anne’s Lace.
But grow dill, too, if you have space. It’s a delight. This summer, it also happens to be The Herb of the Year.
Sonia Day is a guest at Richter’s Herb Day in Uxbridge starting at 11 a.m., Sunday, May 2. Come hear free lectures on the wonderful world of herbs. Her new book, Incredible Edibles, 43 Fun Things to grow in the City will be on sale. For more information go to www.Richters.com or call 1-800-668-4372.