Growing Queen Anne's Lace: Tips at a Glance
- Type Wildflower
- Life Span Re-seeds itself
- USDA Zones 3-9
- Light Sun to partial shade
- Water Well-drained to dry soil
- Companions Daisies, bee balm
- Design Tip Meadow effect
- Other Uses Cut flowers
- When to Plant Sow in spring or fall
Queen Anne’s Lace: A Field Guide
Queen Anne’s Lace grows wild in fields, along roadsides, and in empty lots with a hardiness that belies the delicacy of its finespun doily flowers.
Daucus carota is often considered invasive; no matter where you plant, it will spread all over your garden. Named after Queen Anne of England—whether it’s the Tudor Anne or the Stuart Anne is up for debate—the story goes that the queen pricked a finger while tatting lace, and blood flecks sprinkled her handiwork. At the center of each flower is a speck of purple or red, a reminder of this flower’s ferocity. Look-alike Ammi majus is better behaved (although it has no red pricks).