Bronze Fennel

Any plant that has multiple uses always attracts my attention. Fennel is a good example of this. You don't hear a lot about this herb but it is certainly one of my favorites.

This time of year it's setting lots of seed, which are popular with bakers for using in bread. This bronze fennel is so handsome I use it to accent many other plants in my garden through the growing season.

Its soft feathery foliage and yellow blooms make it one of the most attractive herbs. And since it's perennial I can depend on it coming back next year.

Fennel may look like dill growing but it's easy to recognize because it has its own distinct flavor. It tastes a lot like licorice.

Now this variety is called 'Finocchio'. It grows lower than standard fennel and it is well known for its thicker leaf base that is delicious when shredded on salads or baked with fish.

So, here is a plant where every part from the seed to the leaf to its bulb like base is edible.

Not only does it look great growing in the garden; it's one of the best plants you can have for supporting beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lace wings, paper wasps as well as many butterfly larvae.

The more habitat that we can provide for natural predators, the easier it is to keep pest populations at a more manageable level thus lessening our dependency on pesticides.

To grow fennel you just need full sun and soil that is loose, rich and well drained.

With all of these uses fennel is an herb you'll want to include in your garden in the next growing season.