Seombadi Korean Celery Seeds
Seombadi Korean Celery Seeds - Dystaenia takesimana - Ulleung Giant Celery
Ulleung Giant Celery
- Hardy to Zone 4
Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Germination Tested November 22, 2024: 50%
- Approximately 20-30 seeds per packet
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Expected to restock in December 2025.
Seombadi is an exciting and very cold hardy perennial vegetable from Ulleongdo Island, South Korea. The leaves and stems taste like aromatic celery and lovage, but much milder than lovage (and tastier in my opinion). The leaves are the most prolific part as the stems are much thinner than celery. The leaves are fantastic in place of celery in soups and stock throughout the winter. The chopped leaves and stems make great additions to salads, in particular potato salad.
Seombadi stays green throughout even harsh winters when few other vegetables are available to harvest, making it a valuable addition to any edible garden.
Here's a quote from Eric Toensmeier: “Absolutely our best winter perennial vegetable. When Hablitzia is still 1" high, this one is 10" and growing fast. Comes up under snow and really our best or even only winter vegetable from early December through March. Flavor more or less like celery. Grows something like lovage but much better flavor and winter tolerance. It sailed through -15F (-26C) this winter” (Eric is located in Holyoke, Massachusetts).
These plants can grow about 6 feet tall when in flower, and the umbelliferous flowers support all sorts of beneficial insects. Other names for this plant include Ulleung Giant Celery, Korean Pig Plant, sobadi, or dwaejipul.
It seems in its native Ulleongdo Island, it is only occasionally eaten parboiled, or fermented in soy sauce or soybean paste. Its main use seems to be livestock fodder for pigs and cattle. In fact, it is said to be the favourite herb of the local cattle (yakso), which gives the meat a special "herbal fragrance." I imagine chickens, rabbits, or other livestock would enjoy it as well.
Stephen Barstow has an excellent article on his website with more information.
These seeds are grown by my friend Kim Watt of Thimble Hill Nursery in Nelson, BC. Thank you for stewarding seeds of this special plant!
Growing Instructions
Growing Instructions
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
By placing an order, customers agree to the shipping & refund policies detailed on this page.
Most orders are sent via Canada Post to keep costs low.
Shipping within Canada
We ship seeds via Canada Post within Canada for $6 to $8 depending on weight.
We ship seeds in Canada via regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-3 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order, but occasionally orders take longer, especially to the Eastern provinces and rural areas.
Customers can now opt for tracked, express shipping options at checkout if you require faster delivery.
Larger bulbs and plants are usually sent via tracked flat rate box.
Shipping to the US
We require all US shoppers to obtain a Small Seed Lot Import Permit before we can mail your seeds. It's free to apply, and you will likely be granted the permit instantly, although some require additional verification via mail.
We recommend obtaining a permit BEFORE placing your order.
Please email your permit and shipping label PDFs to us promptly before or after you order.
If you do not email us your permit documents after one week, we will refund your order minus a $10 processing charge.
How to apply for your Small Seed Lot Import Permit:
- Please follow these instructions carefully so you don't end up with the wrong type of permit!
- Go to https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/
- Select PPQ-587 in the dropdown menu and click "Get Started".
- Please use the exact same name and address as on your order.
- Login and follow the instructions to obtain a permit.
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Under the Commodity Type drop down, make sure you select the "Small Lots of Seed". See screenshot below.
- It's best to list "Eligible Taxa" instead of listing all the species you'd like to import so you don't need to worry about missing any species you ordered.
- Once you receive your permit, promptly email us 2 PDFs: a copy of your permit and a copy of the yellow/green shipping labels. Tell us which USDA station you want us to send the seeds to. If not mentioned we will choose one close to you. Our email is grow@cicadaseeds.ca
- Once we've accepted your documents, please contact the plant inspection station we are shipping to and let them know to expect your shipment. Station phone numbers can be found here (select "United States" then "Plant Inspection Stations" in the top 2 fields, then click "Search"). This reminds stations to check for your package, otherwise they may forget about it.
Need help? Contact the APHIS plant permit team at:
EMAIL: plantproducts.permits@usda.gov
PHONE: 877-770-5990
What happens next?
After receiving your documentation, we will mail your seeds to an inspection facility in the US. We will ship via tracked parcel, and you will receive the tracking number when your order has shipped. Orders will be mailed first to a plant inspection facility in the US, then they forward the package on to your address after inspection. Tracking is only available to the inspection facility, not to your address.
The mail and inspection process can take several weeks, depending on how long the inspection takes. Unfortunately we are not able to replace packages that are confiscated or destroyed by customs, or for any additional duties or tariffs placed on your order.
Shipping Internationally
International customers can select tracked or untracked shipping at checkout. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit. We are not able to send any live plant materials internationally. Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held or confiscated by customs, or for any additional duties or tariffs placed on your order.
International shipping countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom.
This list may change without notice. Sometimes Canada Post will not allow us to ship to certain countries due to wars or natural disasters, see this page for delivery service alerts.
Please reach out if your country is not on this list, email us and we will try to arrange an alternate shipping option.
Refund Policy
Refunds: We stand behind our seeds, so if for some reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please reach out to us via email and we will do our best to make it right. Please note that shipping costs are non-refundable.
Cancelled orders: If you wish to cancel an order after purchasing, we may refund your order minus card processing and admin fees at our discretion.
Refused orders: We cannot issue a refund if you refuse to accept an order we've sent to you.
Incorrect addresses: Please double check your mailing address, and let us know ASAP if you've entered an incorrect address at checkout. We may need to charge for additional shipping fees to resend orders.
Ecologically Grown
Ecologically Grown
Seeds are grown ecologically without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
