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Herbaceous PerennialHerbs - Culinary

Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum

Florence fennel

A biennial plant reaching 1.5m in height, with aromatic feathery green leaves and swollen, bulb-like white stem bases which can be eaten as a vegetable. If left to bloom, it has tall stems bearing acid yellow flowers in flat flowerheads, mid and late summer followed by aromatic seeds

Other common names

finocchio

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Apiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Foeniculum is a large biennial or perennial with aromatic, finely dissected leaves and umbels of small yellow flowers, followed by aromatic fruits
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moisture-retentive soil in full sun. May have the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well. For more advice see florence-fennel cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back dead stems in autumn or winter. Remove faded flowers to prevent self-seeding. For use as a vegetable, harvest plants when mature

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails in seedling stage

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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