Bronze Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

Bronze Fennel is an evergreen, herbaceous perennial with flowers and leaves that have a sweet, mildly anise or licorice flavor. The genus name comes from the Latin name for this herb which, in Italian, is called finocchio.

Bronze Fennel does best in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun. It will tolerate clay and sandy soils and, once established, drought. More often grown as an annual, this herb's tiny yellow flowers bloom in summer and are often used in egg and fish dishes. It has an upright, branching habit and can grow 3 to 5 feet high with aromatic, yellow-green leaves. In addition to attracting butterflies with its flowers, Bronze Fennel is also a larval plant for some swallowtail butterflies.

Bronze Fennel is self-seeding so to prevent unwanted spread of this plant, remove spent flowers and stems before seed is produced.  No serious insect or disease problems.

Photo Credit: Oklahoma State Extension & Wisconsin Extension

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