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Foeniculum vulgare (Common fennel)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
2.5m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Foeniculum vulgare
Other names
Common fennel, Finkel, Sabbath day posy, Finckle, Fennel, Fenkell
Genus
Foeniculum Foeniculum
Species
F. vulgare - F. vulgare is an upright, clump-forming biennial or short-lived perennial with finely-divided, pinnate, mid- to blue-green leaves and branching stems bearing flat umbels of tiny, yellow flowers in summer followed by aromatic seeds.
Foeniculum vulgare is: Deciduous
Fragrance
Foliage is aromatic (aniseed).
Habit
Upright, Spreading
Flower
Yellow, Insignificant or absent in Summer
Foliage
Blue-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Specific pests
Aphids Aphids
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Can be invasive if flowers are allowed to set seed.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Foeniculum vulgare (Common fennel) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Add to salads, Flavouring food and drinks, Beds and borders, Wildlife, Foliage only
Cultivation
Plant in moist, fertile soil.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Foeniculum vulgare
Other names
Common fennel, Finkel, Sabbath day posy, Finckle, Fennel, Fenkell
Genus
Foeniculum Foeniculum
Species
F. vulgare - F. vulgare is an upright, clump-forming biennial or short-lived perennial with finely-divided, pinnate, mid- to blue-green leaves and branching stems bearing flat umbels of tiny, yellow flowers in summer followed by aromatic seeds.
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
Foliage is aromatic (aniseed).
Habit
Upright, Spreading
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Colour
Flower
Yellow, Insignificant or absent in Summer
Foliage
Blue-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Can be invasive if flowers are allowed to set seed.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Foeniculum vulgare (Common fennel) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Add to salads, Flavouring food and drinks, Beds and borders, Wildlife, Foliage only
Cultivation
Plant in moist, fertile soil.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained, Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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Foeniculum vulgare
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