Fennel

Renee's Garden - Handsome, ornamental plants with 4-5 foot feathery plumes of filigreed blue-green, copper-tipped leaves and lacy, golden flower umbels. A stunning addition to flower beds and a major nectar and pollen host for many butterflies (especially Swallowtails) and beneficial insect species. The aromatic, sweetly anise-scented leaves are delicious in salads and make a lovely, soothing tea. The pretty flowers are lovely in bouquets; their edible golden pollen is a gourmet seasoning that upscale chefs love to use.   Characteristics:  Heirloom Selective  Butterfly favorites  Pollinators & Beneficials  Perennial: USDA zone 5-9  Instructions - To plant directly in the garden, In spring when the danger of hard frost is past, sow seeds 1 inch apart in finely worked, well-drained, fertile soil in full sun. Cover 1/2 inch deep, firm soil, and keep the seedbed moist. Germination takes 2 to 3 weeks. After seedlings are well established, carefully thin or transplant them 1 1/2 feet apart to allow plants room to mature.   To start early indoors, Sow thinly in a container of seed starting mix, 4 to 6 weeks before the last expected frost. Keep warm and evenly moist, and provide a good light source. When seedlings are 3 to 4 inches tall, acclimate gradually to outdoor conditions before carefully transplanting as above.  Plant in very well-drained soil. Seedlings grow slowly at first; watch out for them closely as their bronze color makes them easy to weed out by accident. The branching feathery fronds crowned by intricate yellow flowers provide valuable nectar and pollen to a wide range of butterflies, ladybugs, lacewings, and other beneficial insects. Colorful blue-green, and copper-bronze foliage is a beautiful contrast with the green foliage and bright colors of summer annuals.  Plant in March-June  Full Sun  Plant 1/2" deep  Space 1" apart  14-21 days to germinate  Mature height: 4-5 feet  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability. 

We have a variety of seed companies for this one as we love it and seed companies tend to rotate in and out each year.  Vigorous plants were a hit in High Mowing trials, producing huge juicy bulbs. High Mowing Organic Seeds - Very large, uniform bulbs with slightly flattened shape Bulbing-types produce large sweet bulbs. Finale stores well, keeping good quality and maintaining a crisp, juicy texture and pleasant flavor. Excellent bolt resistance.  Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  Bolt-resistant  4" bulbs 80 days  1/32 oz approx.  Instructions - Fennel needs deep, well-drained, moderately fertile soil with a pH from 6.1-8.0. It has a very deep taproot. Plant 1/4-1/2" deep  Direct seed at 2" and thin to 6-8" Plant 18" rows apart  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

🌿 Bronze Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum') The Smoky "Designer's Herb" for Foodies & Butterflies Elevate your garden with the dramatic, airy elegance of Bronze Fennel. Far more than just a culinary herb, this stunning perennial is a favorite among landscape designers for its tall, feathery fronds of deep smoky-purple and copper. With its sweet, anise-like fragrance and shimmering metallic foliage, Bronze Fennel serves as a breathtaking "living screen" in the garden and a gourmet staple in the kitchen. 📜 Historical Heritage & Folklore Fennel is one of the world's oldest cultivated plants, with deep roots in Ancient Mediterranean civilizations. The Greeks called it marathos, and the famous site of the Battle of Marathon actually means "a place with fennel." Historically, Roman soldiers consumed fennel to build strength and courage, while Roman women ate it to suppress hunger and maintain their figure. During the Middle Ages, fennel was hung over doorways on Midsummer’s Eve to ward off evil spirits. The "Bronze" variety is a sought-after ornamental selection of the common green fennel, specifically refined for its rich color. It became a darling of English "cottage gardens" in the 19th century and remains a centerpiece of modern "New Perennial" planting styles today. ✨ Product Highlights Stunning Ornamental Foliage: Soft, fine-textured plumes of dark bronze that turn to a dusty green-gold as the plant matures. A "Nursery" for Butterflies: One of the primary host plants for Black Swallowtail butterflies. If you plant it, you will see their beautiful striped caterpillars! Gourmet Flavor: Every part of the plant is edible! Use the feathery leaves for a sweet licorice zing in salads and fish dishes, or harvest the yellow flower umbels for the world's most aromatic pollen. Tall & Majestic: Reaches heights of 5 to 6 feet, providing incredible vertical interest and texture at the back of the border. Perennial Reliability: A hardy plant that returns year after year, often becoming a permanent, beloved fixture of the garden. 🛠️ Quick Growth Profile Feature Specifications Plant Type Hardy Perennial (Zones 5–9) Height 4 to 6 feet Sun Requirement Full Sun (6-8+ hours) Days to Maturity 65 Days (Leaves) / 100+ Days (Seeds) Growth Habit Tall, Upright, Feathery Wildlife Value High (Butterfly Host & Bee Magnet) 🌱 How to Grow Bronze Fennel 1. Sowing the Seeds:Fennel has a long taproot and does not like being moved. Direct sowing into the garden is highly recommended. When: Sow in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Depth: Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep. Spacing: Thin seedlings to 12–18 inches apart. 2. The Best Spot:Bronze Fennel thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is remarkably drought-tolerant once established. Note on Location: Because it grows so tall, plant it at the back of your garden beds where it won't shade out smaller plants. 3. Maintenance: Watering: Water regularly until established; after that, it can handle dry spells with ease. Pruning: If you want to keep the foliage looking fresh and "bronze," cut the flower heads off before they go to seed. Self-Sowing: Bronze Fennel is a prolific self-seeder. If you don't want "volunteer" fennel popping up next year, deadhead the yellow flowers before they turn brown. 4. Harvesting: Leaves: Snip the feathery fronds as needed once the plant is at least 12 inches tall. Seeds: If you want the seeds, let the flower heads dry on the plant until they turn brown, then shake them into a paper bag. 🥗 Culinary & Design Tip In the kitchen, Bronze Fennel pairs beautifully with grilled fish, citrus salads, and roasted carrots. In the garden, its dark, smoky texture looks breathtaking when planted next to silver-leaved plants like Dusty Miller or bright, hot-colored flowers like Orange Zinnias. Garden Warning: Keep Fennel away from Dill and Coriander to prevent cross-pollination, and avoid planting it near tomatoes or beans, as Fennel can occasionally stunt their growth! 🦋🌿

Renee's Garden - Italian heirloom grows easily and reliably produces plump green oval bulbs with feathery tops. The crispy, sweet anise flesh is perfect for versatile salads, dips, or to roast, sauté or grill.  Characteristics:  Organic Heirloom  Pastel-green oval bulbs  Versatile juicy-crisp flesh  Feathery tops  Instructions - In early spring when the danger of hard frost is over, sow seeds in well-worked, fertile soil in full sun. Space seeds 4 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart and covers seed 1/2 inch deep. Carefully thin when seedlings are large enough to handle to stand 10 to 12 inches apart so bulbs have room to grow and mature. Or start seeds indoors in a container of seed starting mix. Keep moist and provide a strong light source until seedlings are 3 or 4 inches tall and ready to transplant as above. For tender, best-quality bulbs, fennel needs rich soil and cool growing weather, so sow seeds as early as the ground can be worked and again in midsummer for fall harvesting. Be sure seedlings are thinned or transplanted 10 to 12 inches apart. Keep plants evenly moist throughout the growing season – mulching is a good strategy. Fennel is a heavy feeder, so fertilize every 2 to 3 weeks with a high nitrogen fertilizer such as fish emulsion. When bulbs are full and plump, cut them off at the soil level. Trim the feathery leaves down to the solid base.  Cold Winters: May  Mild Winters: March-April / July-August  Full sun  Sow Seeds: 4" apart, 1/2" deep  Days to Germinate: 14-21 days  Days to Harvest: 90 Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability. 

Renee's Garden - Striking 4 to 5-foot plumes of filigreed coppery leaves and lacy golden flower umbels that ripen mellow anise-flavored seeds. Smokey Bronze Fennel makes a stunning addition to flower or herb beds and is a major nectar & pollen host for many butterflies and beneficial insect species. Season seafood, salads, or cooked vegetables with feathery copper-bronze leaves. Tea made from aromatic leaves or sweet seeds soothes upset stomachs and calms the nerves.   Characteristics:  Heirloom  Butterfly Favorites  Pollinators & Beneficials  Coppery-bronze fennel  Aromatic anise scent and flavor    Instructions - In spring when the danger of hard frost is past, sow seeds 1 inch apart in finely worked, well-drained, fertile soil in full sun. Cover 1/2 inch deep, firm soil, and keep the seedbed moist. Germination takes 2 to 3 weeks. After seedlings are well established, carefully thin or transplant 1 foot apart to allow plants room to mature. Sow thinly in a container of seed starting mix, 4 to 6 weeks before the last expected frost. Keep warm and evenly moist, and provide a good light source. When seedlings are 3 to 4 inches tall, acclimate gradually to outdoor conditions before carefully transplanting as above.  Growing Notes: Plant in very well-drained soil and keep a close eye on young seedlings, which grow slowly at first – their unusual bronze color can make them easy to weed out by accident! A prime butterfly plant, the copper-bronze fronds of Smokey Bronze fennel send up tall branching stalks crowned by intricate yellow flowers that provide valuable nectar and pollen to ladybugs, lacewings, and other beneficial insects. Bronze fennel’s deep-colored foliage provides a beautiful contrast to the green foliage and bright hot colors of summer annuals like cosmos, zinnias, and sunflowers. Plant in March-June  Full Sun  Plant 1/2" deep  Space 1" apart  14-21 days to germinate  Mature Height: 4-5 feet  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability.