Chocolate Color Plant

[Charest]

Three of these plants appeared in different spots in the garden last year. I have no clue where from (seeds brought in with other plants?). Two are in the sun and the foliage is chocolate color. One in the shade is greener. The foliage looks like bugbane's but flower buds are already forming in mid-May.

[Lori S.]

Hi, Charest,
Welcome to the forum!  I believe your plant is Anthriscus sylvestris 'Ravenswing'; common name, cow parsley.
http://www.finegardening.com/plantguide/anthriscus-sylvestris-ravenswing.aspx

Very nice!  I can never get these to come through the winter here.

[Charest]

Hi Lory,
Thank you! I looked it up and it is indeed Anthricus sylvestris "Raven Wing". I will have to keep an eye on it as it looks pretty invasive. I live in the Bruce Peninsula in Ont and we usually have a good snow cover (zone 4 for shrubs above the snow and zone 6 under the snow - Agapanthus survives the winter with no protection).
Thanks again.
Alain Charest

[Lori S.]

Note that the cultivar name is actually 'Ravenswing'.    It is not rhizomatous so it would have spread to your yard by seed - wouldn't mind if it did so for me!  

[RickR]

You really have a nice strain of the plant, Alain.  The color is wonderful.  Mine never get like that, even in early spring when they are in full sun.  It's very easy to remove the flowers before they go to seed.  The seedlings are, however, a little difficult to pull out with their long, deep, carrot-like root.  Here is mine, peaking with its white flowers just to the left of the blue American Bellflower (Campanulastrum americanum).