FOENICULUM vulgare

Description

Foeniculum vulgare

Height x Spread:  175cm x 50cm  

Commonly known as fennel, this wonderfully airy umbellifer with small yellowy-green flowers and finely dissected fresh green leaves scented with aniseed, is rapidly gaining popularity in the ornamental garden, building on its traditional role in the allotment.  

Its frothy fountain-like foliage is particularly attractive, contrasting well with bolder leaves, flowers and silhouettes long before the bee-friendly flowers appear in late summer.  These are followed by aromatic seedheads that sustain birds in winter.  Perfect for an informal, wildlife or jewel garden, its bright colouring combines well with deep pink, purples and oranges for a rich display.  Its tendency to self-seed can be curbed by picking the flowers before they set seed.  It needs a damp, fertile soil in a sunny or partially shaded spot to thrive.