Why Common Chicory Is Perfect For The Edimental Garden
Common chicory (Cichorium intybus) is an herb in the Asteraceae plant family. Many cultivated forms of chicory are annual or biennial plants, unlike the wild or common form, which is perennial and a perfect addition to the edimental garden. The tiny daisy-like chicory flowers add a whimsical look to any garden and are edible. You can harvest all parts of this unique plant!
Common chicory is a robust herb that would love to join you for morning coffee.
What Does Common Chicory Look Like?
Often found growing wild along roadsides, the plant is recognizable by the tiny blue flower heads about 3 to 4 cm wide and their two rows of bracts (stems). The inner bract is long and erect, and the outer bract is short and spreading. They bloom from July to October, and each flower opens only once from 5 a.m. on a summer morning to noon.
Do Pollinators Like Common Chicory?
Its services to the garden ecosystem include attracting beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings, which aid in the natural control of unwanted pests such as aphids. Bees and butterflies also make a “beeline” for the plant.
How Do You Grow Common Chicory?
Common chicory thrives in well-drained soils and full sun but can tolerate a range of soil types, including poor and sandy soils. When choosing a location, remember that chicory has a long taproot, so it prefers a spot where it can grow deep into the soil. A subsoil that is too moist and rich in nutrients will inhibit the plant’s development.
It may look delicate, but common chicory is a tough plant that prefers poor soil and can handle drought. This makes it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens. It does best in full to part sun locations and is hardy to climate zone 3 (-35 C).
Can I Grow Common Chicory From Seed?
Chicory can be grown from seeds sowed directly into the garden in early spring or late summer. The seeds need light to germinate; scatter them and gently press them into the soil surface.
How Can I Cook With Common Chicory?
The leaves can be harvested anytime but are the most tender in the early spring. Slightly bitter, they can be used in salads, adding a unique flavor that pairs well with sweet and tangy dressings. Mature leaves are pretty bitter, but blanching them (covering them with soil or a pot to block light) can reduce the bitterness. Mature leaves can be cooked as you would spinach. The vibrant blue flowers can be used as a garnish in salads.
Can I Drink Common Chicory Like Coffee?
The real stars of the show are the roots. Chicory roots are dug up in the fall of the plant’s first year or early spring of the second year before flowering and can be used as a coffee substitute. Clean and dry the roots, then roast until dark brown. Grind and brew like regular coffee. Chicory coffee has a slightly nutty flavor and is caffeine-free, making it a popular alternative for anyone reducing their caffeine intake.
To learn more about chicory and its different varieties and culinary uses: Cichorium intybus’ Roseum’ |chicory ‘Roseum’/RHS Gardening
