Foeniculum vulgare 'Sweet Florence'

RHS Plant Profile
fennel 'Sweet Florence'

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Annual vegetable with finely divided, feathery, bright green foliage that is grown for its swollen, aniseed-flavoured stems. Yellow umbel flowers are produced if the bulb is not harvested, or if stressed by dry hot weather. Height 1-1.5m (3-5ft).

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil in fulll sun. May have the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well. See florence-fennel cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Harvest plants when mature.

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews