• Seombadi Korean Celery Seeds - Dystaenia takesimana - Ulleung Giant Celery - CicadaSeedsShop
  • Seombadi Korean Celery Seeds - Dystaenia takesimana - Ulleung Giant Celery - CicadaSeedsShop
  • Seombadi Korean Celery Seeds - Dystaenia takesimana - Ulleung Giant Celery - CicadaSeedsShop
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Seombadi Korean Celery Seeds

Seombadi Korean Celery Seeds - Dystaenia takesimana - Ulleung Giant Celery

Dystaenia takesimana
Ulleung Giant Celery
  • Hardy to Zone 4
  • Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Germination Tested November 22, 2024: 50%
  • Approximately 20-30 seeds per packet
$5.00 CAD
$5.00 CAD
Sale Sold out

Expected to restock in December 2025.

Seombadi is an exciting and very cold hardy perennial vegetable from Ulleongdo Island, South Korea. It tastes like a mix of celery and lovage, and stays green throughout even harsh winters when few other vegetables are available to harvest, making it a valuable addition to any edible garden. It's great in winter soups and stews.

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

These seeds lose their viability quickly, so I recommend planting them this year and not saving any. Cold stratification (30-60 days) may promote more uniform germination, but it is not necessary. Kim recommends starting them indoors around the same time as onions (Feb-early March) on bottom heat. Seeds should sprout slowly and erratically over 6 weeks. Transplant outdoors after last frost. Alternately, sow seeds outdoors in pots in February and let them naturally cold-stratify, and they will come up in the spring.

Seedlings seem to be delicate when young- try not the let them overheat. Plants grow slowly when young. Mature plants can tolerate full sun or part shade. Propagation by cuttings may be possible.

Shipping & Returns

We ship seeds via Canada Post within Canada for $6 to $8 depending on weight, United States for $20, and Internationally for $20*. Live plants, bulbs, and bulbils can only be shipped within Canada.

Any shipping overages will be refunded.

 

Shipping in Canada 

We ship seeds in Canada via regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-2 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order. Larger bulbs and plants are sent via tracked flat rate box.

 

Shipping to the US

We now require all US shoppers to obtain a Small Lot Seed Permit before purchasing. It's free to apply and you will likely be granted the permit instantly. To apply:

  1. Go to https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/
  2. Select PPQ-587 in the dropdown menu and click "Get Started".
  3. Login and follow the instructions to obtain a permit. You may list "Eligible Taxa" instead of listing all the species you'd like to import. 
  4. Once you receive your permit, email us a PDF copy, including the yellow/green coloured labels. Tell us if which USDA station you want us to send the seeds to. If not mentioned we will choose a random one. Also let us know your order number. Our email is grow@cicadaseeds.ca
  5. We are not able to send any pepper or tomato seeds, or any bulbils due to restrictions.

After receiving your documentation, we will follow all requirements for mailing your seeds. We will ship via tracked parcel. Unfortunately we are not able to replace packages that are confiscated or destroyed by customs.

 

Shipping Internationally

International orders are usually shipped via untracked packet. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit. Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held of confiscated by customs.

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: https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/our-company/news-and-media/service-alerts.page

Please reach out if your country is not on this list, email us and we will try to arrange an alternate shipping option. 

 

If you have any issues with your order, please contact us within 60 days and we will do our best to make it right.

*Shipping fees listed here are in Canadian dollars. 

Ecologically Grown

Seeds are grown ecologically without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers.

View full details

Customer Reviews

Based on 6 reviews
67%
(4)
17%
(1)
17%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
B
Bryan Harris
Postal strike no problem

Fortunately, it being winter in the UK time was not a worry however I was kept informed of delays. When the seeds are planted and germinate I will know more, meanwhile I am happy.

C
Carolyn Bateman
Korean celery seeds.

Thank you, Cicada Seeds, for selling these wonderful Korean celery seeds. I'm looking forward to now having a supply of these crisp, celery-tasting leaves as a perennial in my garden! I've tried lovage before but didn't like the taste. The Korean celery is milder and fresher tasting and so far seems more resilient to changing conditions. It will be a wonderful flavour in salads, soups and stews. What a find!

E
E Bertoia

Seombadi Korean Celery Seeds - Dystaenia takesimana - Ulleung Giant Celery

R
Robert Culshaw
Quantity

Would have liked more seeds

D
Doris Ball
Celery seed

I’m happy to rate a higher satisfaction due to the company making it right by sending me another package of seeds as the first one had broken and minimal seeds. Half of what was said would arrive. The one that was sent to replace had the right amount with much better looking seeds. As of yet they haven’t produced yet after
1 1/2 weeks though I’m sure they will!

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