VANDERMEER

PLANT LIBRARY

Find the perfect plant for your space by browsing through this extensive selection that we typically carry every year.

This library is for information purposes only.

 
herb

Bronze Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare 'Rubrum'

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Bronze Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare 'Rubrum') at Vandermeer Nursery

Bronze Fennel foliage

Bronze Fennel foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Bronze Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare 'Rubrum') at Vandermeer Nursery

Bronze Fennel

Bronze Fennel

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Plant Height:  30 inches

Flower Height:  4 feet

Spread:  3 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  4a

Description:

An ornamental herb grown for its airy, finely cut bronze foliage that matures to a greenish-bronze; a standout in the border with its wispy, smoky look, and is also great when massed

Edible Qualities

Bronze Fennel is a perennial herb that is typically grown for its edible qualities, although it does have ornamental merits as well. The fragrant ferny bluish-green leaves with hints of coppery-bronze which emerge coppery-bronze in spring are usually harvested from early summer to early fall. The leaves have a savory taste.

The leaves are most often used in the following ways:

  • Seasoning

Features & Attributes

Bronze Fennel has masses of beautiful chartreuse flat-top flowers held atop the stems in mid summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive fragrant ferny leaves emerge coppery-bronze in spring, turning bluish-green in colour with hints of coppery-bronze throughout the season.

This is an herbaceous perennial herb with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect. This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Insects
  • Self-Seeding

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Bronze Fennel is sutiable for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use
  • Herb Gardens

Planting & Growing

Bronze Fennel will grow to be about 30 inches tall at maturity extending to 4 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 3 feet. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 4 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant is quite ornamental as well as edible, and is as much at home in a landscape or flower garden as it is in a designated herb garden. It does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America, and it is considered by many to be an heirloom variety.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Garden  Herb 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color  Texture  Plant Form  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features

** Plants listed may not be in stock at all times. **

Please contact us directly for current stock availability.
 
Our inventory varies seasonally and we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times. To confirm if we have the plant that you're looking for, please call (905) 427-2525 or e-mail  us at info@vandermeernursery.com.
 
Remember, this library does not include our entire selection. Visit us year-round to check out varieties that may not be listed here!