All three have feathery fronds similar to dill and a pronounced anise or licorice smell and flavor.
It is a short-lived perennial native but mostly grown as an annual in cooler climates.
The bulbs of Florence fennel have a crunchy texture similar to celery and are eaten raw or cooked.
you’re able to also give it a spot in your herb garden.
The fern-like foliage and upright growth habit create a soft green backdrop in a perennial garden.
Plant either a single fennel as a focal point or several plants together.
Fennel reaches up to 3 feet when mature so plant it as a backdrop for shorter plants.
Its flowers attract pollinators.
Sow the seeds 14 inch deep, 10 seeds per foot in rows 18 inches apart.
Plant herb fennel or ornamental fennel in the garden in spring after thechance of frost has passed.
Plant Florence fennel around the summer solstice.
Water the seeds well and continue to water the plants regularly to keep the soil moist at all times.
Spread a layer of fine mulch around seedlings to prevent moisture loss.
Seeds should germinate in 1 to 2 weeks.
Thin to 6 inches apart when the plants are about 2 inches tall.
In windy locations, common fennel plants grown in rich soils may need staking.
When grown in leaner soils, plants do not grow as tall and often dont require staking.
Fennel Care Tips
The care requirements for the different fennel types vary.
Herb fennel and ornamental fennel is easier and faster to grow than Florence fennel.
Light
Fennel, like most herbs and vegetables, grows best infull sun.
It produces dense, abundant foliage when it gets at least eight hours of direct sunlight a day.
When grown in partial sun, it gets floppy and develops a loose habit.
Common fennel is drought-tolerant once established.
The plants tolerate a light frost but won’t survive winters with freezing temperatures.
Fertilizer
Florence fennel is a heavy feeder.
Pruning
Fennel readily reseeds in mild climates.
To prevent it from spreading,deadhead the flowersbefore they turn into seeds.
Pests and Problems
Fennel is unbothered by serious pests or diseases.
Especially the bronze fennel types are host plants for these native butterflies.
In wet soil with poor drainage, root rot may occur.
How to Propagate Fennel
Fennel is propagated from seeds as described underHow and When to Plant Fennel.
Harvesting
Begin harvesting herb fennel as soon as the leaves are several inches tall.
Smaller bulbs are more tender whereas larger ones are often tough and stringy.
It grows up to 5 feet tall but often remains shorter.
Its smooth, dark green leaves are finely dissected with very narrow lobes, giving it a feathery appearance.
Popular cultivars include the bold-resistant Cantino and the hybrids Orion and Trieste.
Bronze Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare’Purpureum' or ‘Bronze’ are colorful versions of standard fennel.
They have licorice-like flavor and bronze-colored foliage and are grown both as ornamentals and culinary herbs.
In late summer, yellow flowers develop; if left to mature, the flowers produce edible seeds.
Its bloom starts in late summer and continues into fall.
Different species of goldenrod come from environments with widely differing soil conditions.
Do some research to determine which bang out of goldenrod is most suitable for your local growing conditions.
Zone 3-9
Blanket Flower
Few other perennials rival whatblanket flowerbrings to the garden.
The design echoes a theme used by medieval monks for their apothecary gardens: a circle around a cross.
In cooler climates, it does not come back for a second year but it readily reseeds itself.
Some gardeners soak the seeds for a day before planting to soften the seed coat but that’s optional.
