Angelica Sylvestris 'Vicars Mead'

'Vicar's Mead' is a richly coloured selection of wild angelica, forming a bold mound of finely divided, dark bronze-purple foliage on upright purple stems. In late summer, broad rounded umbels open from deep buds into dusky pink and purple flowers, creating an architectural display that is superb among grasses and pale perennials. Bees and other insects gather in great numbers on the nectar-rich heads, which also make dramatic cut or dried material. A biennial or short-lived perennial, it often renews itself from seed in moist ground. The dark leaves hold their best colour in good light without drought.