Product Details
An aromatic perennial herb, Fennel is widely cultivated for its edible, licorice-flavored leaves and seeds. The variety 'Purpureum,' also known as Bronze Fennel, has dark, smoky foliage to a height of 6', an attractive backdrop in perennial borders, where it adds a soft, airy, somewhat mysterious look. The large umbels of nectar-filled, yellow flowers are attractive to many butterflies and pollinators and will eventually dry and create a bountiful harvest of fennel seeds. A prized host plant for the Eastern Black Swallowtail butterfly and caterpillar.
Native to the Mediterranean region and southwestern Asia, Foeniculum vulgare is the sole species in the genus. For information on growing and care, click on Growing Guide.
Shipping
HOW PLANTS ARE SHIPPED
The size of the plants we ship has been selected to reduce the shock of transplanting. For some, this means a large, bareroot crown. Others cannot travel bareroot or transplant best if grown in containers. We ship these perennials and annuals in 1 pint pots, except as noted. We must point out that many perennials will not bloom the first year after planting, but will the following year, amply rewarding your patience. We ship bulbs as dormant, bare bulbs, sometimes with some wood shavings or moss. Shrubs, Roses, vines, and other woody plants may be shipped bareroot or in pots. The size of the pot is noted in the quick facts for each item.
WHEN WE SHIP
We ship our bulbs and plants at the right time for planting in your area, except as noted, with orders dispatched on a first-come, first-served basis by climate zone. We also ship a wide range of containers and planters, tools, supplies, fertilizers, garden wear, garden decor items, as well as indoor decorations like wreaths and dried bouquets when available. Estimated dates for shipping are indicated in the green Shipping Details box for each item. Please supply a street address for delivery. Kindly contact us with two weeks notice, if you'll be away at the expected time of delivery.
OUR GUARANTEE
We guarantee to ship plants that are in prime condition for growing. If your order is damaged or fails to meet your expectations, we will cheerfully replace or refund it. Please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-503-9624 or email us at [email protected]. Please include your order number or customer number when contacting us.
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Growing guide
Latin Name Pronunciation: foe-nik'-yew-lum
This tall, wispy Mediterranean herb resembles Dill, but its leaves and seeds have an anise flavor. The ornamental variety, F. vulgare 'Purpureum', is grown for its dark and smoky new foliage and broad flat heads of yellow flowers in summer. Plants are not long lived but self sow readily and are enjoyed by gardeners and cooks alike.
Light/Watering: Full sun. Water thoroughly after planting and give a new plant a good soaking once a week during summer, unless rainfall is plentiful (more than 1 inch per week). Established plants can generally get by on less water, but most grow best if the soil remains evenly moist. Please note that more is not better. When in doubt, don't water.
Fertilizer/Soil and pH: Moist, well-drained soil. Will tolerate drought when established. We recommend against fertilizing at planting time and during the first growing season in your garden. Plants need time to settle in before being pushed to grow. Most established plants grow best if fertilized with a light hand. We fertilize perennials just once--in early spring--with a light but even coverage of a balanced, granular fertilizer (such 10-10-10 or an organic fertilizer). If a concentrated, water-soluble fertilizer is used, please follow the manufacturers' recommendations carefully.
Continuing Care: Remove spent flower stems to prevent and oversupply of seedlings.
