Growing Fennel

[ChrisJB]

I fancy gowing some kind of tall willowy umbellifer in the garden, to give it a bit of height and have decided on Fennel. Is it an annual/perennial and if I grow it from seed, can I sow it straight in situ, or do I use pots then plant out later? Any other advice of relevance would come in handy too.

Regards, Chris

[tawnyman]

Fennel is a great plant to have in the garden, Chris. I've got 2 or 3 plants in my garden. It grows to 4-7 feet, and produces lovely umbrels of yellow flowers in the late summer. Hoverflies and other insects seem to love them. The fennel I've got is common fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and I got it from an allotment originally by dividing the root of an existing plant. So, yes it's perennial, and can be sown fairly easily I'd guess. You could sow it in pots but it has a long taproot so might be better to sow in situ. As I've said, you can divide the roots to get new plants, I did this in wintertime I think but you could probably do it any time if you keep it watered well after moving. I always give it some compost or manure too. I noticed that my new shoots are coming through now, it's a very hardy and early perennial. The seeds and foliage have an aniseed taste, very good with fish. Good luck with it,
Julian

[Paul mabbott]

There are two basic types of fennel. Florence fennel Florence Fennel Information & Varieties - is grown as an annual for its bulb - but I think you're interested in herb fennel - Fennel - which is a biennial but seeds easily. It also comes in a bronze form which doesn't always reproduce true from seed. Can be grown from seed but probably easier to buy a potted plant and then let it seed itself (just keep the soil around it clear of weeds). In the right circumstances it can become a weed but is easy to clear. Yes a good ornamental plant with foliage and seeds that can be used in cooking but are also of interest to the wildlife!

[ChrisJB]

Thanks folks. Yes, it's the herb Fennel I'm after. I've never seen pot plants of it in my local garden centres (they aren't very good really). I don't suppose you know any mail order places where I could get one sent in the post?

Sorry, I'm being idle. I will have a look on the 'net!

Regards, Chris

[naturelover]

Thanks folks i shall try growing fennel,i do like tall plants,and these look good to grow,i will grow from seed in the greenhouse and see what i get,i know you can eat fennel but i have never tryed it befor,might give it a go.

[Susie]

I've tried growing it from seed before but have had limited success. Now I just divide from the main plant (I did this recently and got seven smaller plants from the one original I planted last year). If you want to buy this in the garden centre you will find it with the other herbs.

As said above, this is a plant I wouldn't want to be without because it has very attractive foliage, pretty flowers and is a great draw for the hoverflies. It even smells nice.

[Bub-les]

Yes it is a good plant but it can spread and you may well get seedlings sprouting up all over the place they're easy enough to weed out. Its a good idea to chop it back before the seeds ripen. The bronze form is particularly graceful and both can be used as foliage in vases with flowers.
Barbara

[Meta menardi]

Have a look at Sweet Cicely. I have Fennel and Sweet Cicely in the garden, I take more comfort from Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis oderata or summat like it). It has the fennel taste, the seeds are a very nice nibble and it is a common wayside plant. I could go on....

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Meta menardi

Have a look at Sweet Cicely. I have Fennel and Sweet Cicely in the garden, I take more comfort from Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis oderata or summat like it). It has the fennel taste, the seeds are a very nice nibble and it is a common wayside plant. I could go on....

If you're looking at other umbellifers, my favourite is angelica (Angelica archangelica which will grow to at least 2m. Another biennial which will grow easily from seed. It is a massive attractant to insects - and therefore useful for insectivores. You can also candy the young stems ... if you're into that sort of thing. Many herb-spice plants are umbellifers and serve similar purposes for wild life - in my garden Anthriscus cerefolium, chervil, is naturalised and makes a very useful addition to salads!

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

There are two basic types of fennel. Florence fennel Florence Fennel Information & Varieties - is grown as an annual for its bulb - but I think you're interested in herb fennel - Fennel - which is a biennial but seeds easily. It also comes in a bronze form which doesn't always reproduce true from seed. Can be grown from seed but probably easier to buy a potted plant and then let it seed itself (just keep the soil around it clear of weeds). In the right circumstances it can become a weed but is easy to clear. Yes a good ornamental plant with foliage and seeds that can be used in cooking but are also of interest to the wildlife!

Fennel is a perennial - certainly all that I've grown + double checked in Stace which says the same! I love it but can be a nuisance on light soils as it seeds so prolifically + is a pest in some places where it's been introduced, eg. California. Excellent for hoverflies.