When does Smooth Sweet Cicely bloom?

Smooth Sweet Cicely blooms from May through July, producing small white flowers arranged in loose umbels.

What pollinators visit Smooth Sweet Cicely?

Bees, beetles, and flies commonly visit the small white flower clusters of Smooth Sweet Cicely during its spring and early summer bloom period.

What growing conditions does Smooth Sweet Cicely prefer?

It grows well in part shade to full shade with medium, evenly moist soil, conditions similar to the rich woodland understories where it is often found.

Is Smooth Sweet Cicely an evergreen plant?

No, it is a deciduous herbaceous perennial that dies back to the ground each fall and sends up new growth in spring.

Is Smooth Sweet Cicely HOA-friendly?

Smooth Sweet Cicely takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Smooth Sweet Cicely

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Osmorhiza longistylis

Last reviewed: August 2026

Smooth Sweet Cicely is a woodland forb that blooms from May through July, growing best in part shade to shade with medium, humus-rich soil moisture.

Toxicity unknown

Smooth Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza longistylis) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

12"–36" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AL, AR, CO, CT and 35 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles, flies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Smooth sweet cicely is a native wildflower with delicate, fern-like foliage and small white flowers arranged in umbrella-shaped clusters. This shade-loving perennial blooms from May through July and goes dormant in winter, making it ideal for woodland gardens or shaded borders.

Growing Smooth Sweet Cicely

Grow Smooth Sweet Cicely in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 6 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Smooth Sweet Cicely takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Looks very wild and weedy to most homeowners
Dies back completely in winter leaving bare spots
Delicate appearance may be seen as unkempt

Wildlife value

The small white flowers attract bees, beetles, and flies during the spring and summer blooming period. Seeds may provide food for small birds and wildlife.

Common questions

When does Smooth Sweet Cicely bloom?: Smooth Sweet Cicely blooms from May through July, producing small white flowers arranged in loose umbels.
What pollinators visit Smooth Sweet Cicely?: Bees, beetles, and flies commonly visit the small white flower clusters of Smooth Sweet Cicely during its spring and early summer bloom period.
What growing conditions does Smooth Sweet Cicely prefer?: It grows well in part shade to full shade with medium, evenly moist soil, conditions similar to the rich woodland understories where it is often found.
Is Smooth Sweet Cicely an evergreen plant?: No, it is a deciduous herbaceous perennial that dies back to the ground each fall and sends up new growth in spring.
Is Smooth Sweet Cicely HOA-friendly?: Smooth Sweet Cicely takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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