Bronze Fennel seeds
Part of the carrot family, Fennel is a must-have in any garden. Traditionally used in Mediterranean cuisine, Fennel has made its way to the U. S and has become a culinary staple. These plants are also famous for attracting caterpillars that turn into the swallowtail butterfly. Each seed will produce a juicy underground bulb that holds tall stalks loaded with fronds of fennel.
When young, the stalks and fronds are green but will start to turn a dark bronze on the ends. Fennel does share a lot of the same compounds as the licorice plant so you can expect a similar flavor. If you are not a licorice fan, don't click away just yet. As fennel is an extremely powerful pollinator magnet once the Fennel bolts and the yellow flowers bloom, you won't be able to keep the bees away. Fennel also has several medicinal properties and makes an excellent soup when combined with carrots. The fronds can be harvested as needed, while the bulb is the most sought-after part of the plant. If you leave the bulb intact underground, your fennel will come back each year.
Seed count: 100
Botanic name:
Foeniculum vulgare
Plant spacing:
18 inches
Color:
Golden brown fronds with some green towards he base of the plant. The bulb will be a cream color.
Sowing depth:
1/4 inch
Sun requirements:
Full sun
Utilization:
The fronds can be dried and ground for soups, stews, casseroles, etc. The bulb can be harvested and used in Mediterranean dishes. If you leave the bulb underground, the fronds come back each year as a perennial (zone 5 and above).
This can be grown to attract the swallowtail butterfly catapillars.
Frost hardy:
Yes
Maturity days:
60 days
Life cycle:
Perennial
Start indoors:
Yes
Container friendly:
Yes, make sure the container is 3 - 5 gallons to accommodate the large underground bulb that forms.
Vine Habit:
