Scientific name: Foeniculum vulgare ‘Purpureum’
Family: APIACEAE
Common names: “Bronze fennel” “purple leaf fennel”
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial in Victoria
Conditions:
Zone: 4-9
Light: Full sun – part shade
Exposure: Exposed
Soil: Rich or poor rocky soils
Moisture: Moist well drained – drought
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: H 6-8′ W 5′
Leaf and Stem shape: finely divided foliage which is purple when young, later grey-green
Flower: flat heads of tiny yellow flowers appear in summer
Maintenance: Zero – low, just cut it back anytime if it gets to big, tends to self sow about
Landscape use: Herb garden, mixed border, gravel garden, companion planting
Propagate: By seed
Pests & Disease: Tends to be a magnet for aphids, ants and ladybugs
*Attracts beneficial insects and provides a place for swallowtail butterflies to lay their eggs
Comments: Will grow just about anywhere and can be quite weedy, deep taproots difficult to remove completely and usually return, edible leaves and flower parts and seeds
