Fennel Smokey Bronze

Fennel Smokey Bronze has fine clouds of feathery, bronze-purple leaves followed by flat-topped, yellow flower heads in mid to late summer and then by aromatic seeds. This beautiful plant looks fantastic as a centerpiece for a sunny herb garden, or among tall perennials and grasses. The foliage acts as a delicate veil through which the flower heads of herbaceous plants and bulbs can be seen.

Fennel has a sweet aroma and an aniseed flavour. Use leaves in fish stock, sauces and in mayonnaise, flavoured butters and salad dressings. The dried stalks can be placed under grilled or barbecued fish. At the two-leafed stage, the seedlings make a pungent addition to salads, reminiscent of mustard. The strong tasting fennel seeds have a flavour like aniseed or liquorice. They can be used as a spice, particularly in cakes, breads and stuffing’s.

Fennel grows erect with a thick root and stout stems. The leaves grow to 40cm long and are finely dissected into fronds.  The seeds are as useful herbally, as are the leaves, and may be left to ripen as a crop. Not to be confused with Sweet or Florence fennel, an annual vegetable grown for its swollen bulbs.

Fennel will grow in most any soil, but the richer the soil, the more tender the foliage and the less aromatic the seed. It likes a well-drained, sheltered but sunny position. It is easily propagated by seeds. Seedlings do not transplant well, so it is better to sow directly in the garden in the late spring. Plant them 25 to 30cm apart and then thin them out as necessary. It grows a very deep taproot which is difficult to pull up, so remove unwanted seedlings while young.

To maintain a continuous supply of fresh leaves throughout the season, sow a few seeds every 10 days. If seeds are not desired, remove flower heads to promote bushier growth. Fennel can be grown as an annual, although the established roots will overwinter easily. For more plants, divide the roots in autumn after the seeds have been harvested. To keep the plants healthy it should be replanted every three to four years. If allowed, the plant will self-sow generously. If fennel is being grown exclusively for its foliage, remove the flower heads to prevent it from self-seeding. When flowers have finished them cut back to 30cm from the ground.

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