Fennel, Bronze

A great ornamental addition to the garden by virtue of its highly unique color, bronze fennel also has a decorative feathery texture that makes a nice contrast to green, leafy plants. Its large, lacy yellow flowers attract butterflies.

The anise-like flavor of fennel makes it a tasty addition to meat and vegetable dishes. It blends well with rosemary. Fennel came from the Mediterranean and is a relative of parsley and carrots. It is one of the spices that gives Italian sausage its flavor, and is great in marinara sauces and meatballs.

Chew fennel for a very good breath freshener.

Easy to grow. Usually grown as an annual or biennial. Light/soil requirements – very well-drained soil in full sun.

Like other varieties of fennel, bronze fennel likes full sun. Every part of the plant can be used, from bottom to top: stalk, leaves, and flowers.

Harvest – leaves and stems should be harvested for fresh use before the plant begins to flower. Roots are edible and may be harvested in the fall of the first year, before the plant flowers. Fennel must usually be wintered over for seed production. Will bolt to produce seed the second summer in areas where it is grown as a biennial or perennial. Plants may produce seeds the first year (in areas with a long cool spring). Harvest seeds as they begin to turn their characteristic grayish-green color. Note: too much moisture at bloom time can prevent formation of seeds.

Height 2-3 Feet

USDA Hardiness Zone tender perennial (hardy in zon

Characteristics & Attributes for Foeniculum vulgare nigra