More Information
| Botanical Name |
Foeniculum vulgare |
| Seeds Per Pack |
50 |
| Life Cycle |
Perennial |
| Min. Time to Germinate |
10 Days |
| Max. Time to Germinate |
14 Days |
| Depth to Sow Seeds |
1/8 in. |
| When to Sow |
Indoors 4-6 weeks before last spring frost, Outdoors after all danger of spring frost is past, Outdoors in early spring, a month before the last spring frost |
| Growing Height |
36-48 in. (90-120 cm) |
| Plant Spacing |
15-18 in. (38-45 cm) |
| Hardiness |
USDA Zone 4a: to -25F, USDA Zone 4b: to -20F, USDA Zone 5a: to -15F, USDA Zone 5b: to -10F, USDA Zone 6a: to -5F, USDA Zone 6b: to 0F, USDA Zone 7a: to 5F, USDA Zone 7b: to 10F, USDA Zone 8a: to 15F, USDA Zone 8b: to 20F, USDA Zone 9a: to 25F, USDA Zone 9b: to 30F |
| Sun Exposure |
Full Sun |
| Danger |
N/A |
| Bloom Color |
Bright Yellow |
| Bloom Time |
Late Spring/Early Summer, Late Summer/Early Fall, Mid-Summer |
| Other Details |
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater, This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds |
| Soil pH Requirements |
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) |
| Days to Harvest |
90-100 |
| Propagation Methods |
From seed; direct sow after last frost, From seed; sow indoors before last frost |
| Seed Collecting |
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds |
Smokey Bronze Fennel produces striking 3 to 5 foot plumes of filigreed coppery leaves and lacy golden flower umbels that ripen mellow anise-flavored seeds. The plant makes a stunning addition to flower or herb beds and is a major nectar and pollen host for many butterfly and beneficial insect species. Season seafood, salads or cooked vegetables with the feathery copper-bronze leaves. Tea made from the aromatic leaves or sweet seeds soothes upset stomachs and calms the nerves.
