There are two different species known as Chervil that will grow well in Britain, both Umbellifers or carrot family, but not in the same genus.

Illustrated on the right is Tuberous-rooted Chervil (Chaerophyllum bulbosum). This European native will grow quite well in Britain, a biennial, the first year the root will develop and the plant will grow a basal rosette of leaves. In the second year the plant will grow to about 5 foot.

Chervil does not transplant very easily; germinate the seeds and plant them where you want them to grow. The seeds do not germinate very well if they are more than two years old. It is best planted in the Autumn, and likes moist conditions.

The leaves can be used for salads and soups. The roots taste rather like chestnuts and can be eaten raw, sliced, with oil, vinegar, pepper and salt or boiled. Dig them up in October or November of the first year and store them in damp sand to improve their flavour. They will then be at their best from December (good at Christmas) to March. Alternatively they may be harvested in the spring of the second year for summer use.

Garden Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) illustrated showing leaves, flowers and unripe seed heads on the left, and with flowers heads nipped out to create the bushier growth below is quite different, an annual in the same Genus as Cow Parsley. It has an slightly aniseed parsley flavour and is good in salads and sauces, with eggs, and it is one of the herbs used to make fines herbes. It has diuretic properties and may also act as a stimulant and lessen blood pressure. The good thing about growing it is that it will easily reseed itself, so after your first planting little effort is required to maintain a supply.

Plant the seeds in late winter or early spring about 1/8th inch deep in well worked soil. Soaking the tiny seeds in water for 24 hours prior to planting may help them germinate. A sunny area is best and again they don't like being transplanted.

They will take from two to four weeks before you start to see them pop up. When they are 2" or so, thin them out a bit. Each plant needs about 8" - 10" of space. This is your first harvest. During the summer it is best to cut it when required, but for winter use it is best frozen in ice cubes, as drying Chervil loses too much flavour.

As summer progresses, if left the plant will bolt and grow taller. Leace some plants alone for next years crop. The stalk will thicken and little white flowers will bloom. You can still keep harvesting, just throw out the stalks and keep the tender stuff. On other plants you should nip out the centres and not allow to flower. This will make a much bushier plant and promote further leaf growth.