About
A variety of Florence fennel, an aniseed-flavoured, perennial plant with feathery foliage. If allowed to grow on, small, yellow flowers carried in flat, fine-textured umbels are produced in the second year. It is grown for its swollen leaf bases which form a bulb-like structure, harvested in its first year.
About the genus
Foeniculum is a large biennial or perennial with aromatic, finely dissected leaves and umbels of small yellow flowers, followed by aromatic fruits
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeHerbs - Culinary
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesWildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained soil in fulll sun. May have the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well. See florence-fennel cultivation for further advice
PruningNo pruning required. Harvest plants when mature
PropagationPropagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free