- Carithers Flowers Main Website- Wikipedia: Queen Annes Lace

Queen Annes Lace

Native to Europe

The Queen Anne Lace Flower has its origins in Europe and was given its name due to its lacy look. Legend says that Queen Anne, who was the wife of King James I, was challenged by her friends to create lace that would be considered as beautiful as a flower. However, when she was attempting to make the lace, she pricked her finger. That represents the purple-red flower that is at the center of Queen Anne’s Lace. The flower is also known by another name, which is Wild Carrot because of its similar shape root and the fact that some even say it smells a bit like a carrot. It also goes by the name of Bishop’s Lace or Bird’s Nest due to the nest-like appearance of the bright white and rounded flower when it is in full bloom). The fruits of Queen Anne's Lace are considered to be spiky and they also curl inward to make what appears to be a "birds' nest" shape. The symbolic meaning for Queen Anne’s Lace is that it represents sanctuary.

It grows quite easily as a wildflower as its seeds spread easily and quickly in the wind, leaving many new flowers next to roads and throughout fields across the United States. Many find this an attractive flower, but others simply see it as a pest like a weed due to the fact that, once it settles in, it pushes out other wildflowers. The flowers are either white or pink with a small, purple-black floweret in the center. Although some say it is okay to eat this cooked, others say it is not a good idea. This is because the Queen Anne Lace Flower often is mistaken for the poisonous plant, Hemlock, because of how similar the two look.

Growing Recommendations - Queen Annes Lace

These are considered very easy to grow because there is not much maintenance or care that is required if any at all. Simply take seeds and toss them into a field or dirt area. By the following year, the Queen Anne’s Lace Flowers will be everywhere. They can thrive in poor soils and even dry conditions. The only real requirement that they have is that they like to be in areas that have full sun. It does blooms from May to October. Queen Anne's Lace is considered to be a biennial, which means that it can live for two years. The first year is considered its growth period while the second year is its blooming period. It can grow between three and five feet tall, depending upon growing conditions.

Photos of Queen Annes Lace

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