Plants for Water-Wise Pollinator Gardens: Dill (Anethum graveolens)

 

Plant Family

Carrot or Parsley Family (Apiaceae formerly Umbelliferae)

Common Names

Dill weed

Description

Dill is an annual herb native to the Mediterranean region. Dill has a distinct smell and flavor. The seeds and leaves are used for flavoring a variety of dishes and the seed heads are often used as flavoring for pickles.

Feathery green leaves
Feathery dill leaves Photo credit: kimll Flickr CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

These tall narrow plants can reach 5 feet in height. Staking or planting among other taller plants reduces lodging (blown over by wind). Dill plants have feathery leaves and broad umbel shaped flowers that bloom when temperatures get hot. They require full sun and well-drained soils. Allow soils to dry between watering.

Attracts

Food plant for black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars
Beneficial insects – Green lacewing, Syrphid flies

Caterpillar feeding on small yellow flowers
Young Swallowtail butterfly caterpillar feeding on a dill flower Photo credit: CameliaTWU Flickr CC BY-NC-SA 2.0