Fennel
- Bronze Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum')
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Water Requirements: Low to Moderate
Height: 36-48 inches
Harvest Time: Leaves and seeds are harvested throughout the growing season
Description: Bronze Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum') is a variety of fennel prized for its ornamental value and culinary uses. It features feathery, bronze-purple foliage that adds a striking contrast to garden landscapes. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Bronze Fennel attracts beneficial insects and pollinators with its umbrella-shaped yellow flowers. It is commonly used in salads, teas, and as a garnish, adding a mild anise flavor to dishes. A prized host plant for the Eastern Black Swallowtail butterfly and caterpillar.
Planting Tips:
- Plant in well-drained soil.
- Space plants 18-24 inches apart.
- Provide occasional watering, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
Ideal Season for Planting in Texas: Spring
Nativity to Texas: No