Sweet Cicely is one of the first herbs to push up through the ground after the last bit of snow disappears. With a little sunshine and warmth from the first few beautiful days, the seedlings begin to thrive. The scent is wonderful when released from a little touching. The flavour will remind us older gardeners of the little black balls we used to get for a penny. The first leaves from the perennial woolly lamb's ears are easily recognized for their soft downy touch.
Many perennials look the same when they have only a couple of their first leaves.
But not this plant. The texture alone gives it away every time. Sowing seeds out of doors in the spring, is the easiest when gardening with children, especially when you choose plants that will thrive with little attention but also reward with bright beautiful blooms. Try some blue flax flowers, black eyed Susan's or nigella for long lasting flowering times. Edible flowers are bountiful in the spring as well.