 herb in the Apiaceae with finely divided, feathery foliage and characteristic yellow flower umbels. Foeniculum vulgare var. piperitum has the aromatic leaves and seeds used in cooking. It is long-lived in suitable sites and produces terminal umbels of tiny yellow flowers. Flowering in the UK occurs from July to September.

Foeniculum vulgare var. piperitum belongs to the carrot family (Apiaceae) and sits in the genus Foeniculum. It originates from the shores of the Mediterranean and has become widely naturalised in many regions, especially on dry soils close to the sea and along riverbanks. The plant is a perennial herb whose finely divided leaves and terminal umbels of tiny yellow flowers define its appearance. Where it performs best are sites that mirror its native habitat: free-draining, drier soils and places that are not persistently waterlogged. Give it space for its erect stems and umbels; the plant returns year to year once established. In the UK it flowers from July to September, setting the dry seed heads that are commonly harvested for culinary use. In a garden, fennel suits herb plots, sunny borders with good drainage and coastal situations where other plants might struggle with salt-laden air. Use the fresh fronds and later the dried seed heads in the kitchen, and leave some flowering umbels to ripen if you want to collect seed. The yellow umbels are the season marker and the seed heads that follow are the useful storeable crop.

A perennial herb in the Apiaceae with finely divided, feathery foliage and characteristic yellow flower umbels. Foeniculum vulgare var. piperitum has the aromatic leaves and seeds used in cooking. It is long-lived in suitable sites and produces terminal umbels of tiny yellow flowers. Flowering in the UK occurs from July to September.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. piperitum) is a perennial herb with feathery leaves and yellow flowers that blooms from July to September.

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