herbaceous layer
fennel
foeniculum vulgare
umbels that feed the tiny parasitic wasps which keep aphids honest. give it its own corner — it dislikes most vegetable neighbours.
functions
field guide
native to
Mediterranean
height
1.5–2 m
spread
to 0.5 m
hardiness
RHS H5 · USDA 4–9
light
full sun
moisture
dry
soil
free-draining, warm
uses
in the kitchen
seeds, feathery leaves, and — in bulb fennel — the swollen base
harvest
leaves through summer, seed in autumn
propagation
seed; can self-sow prolifically
season
open the calendar →grower's notes
memberspropagation, guild role, and deeper ecology for fennel — the members' view.
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relationships — grows well with
see fennel on the relationship map →the takeaway
start a guild around fennel
plant these together and the relationships on this page start working for you — feeders, protectors, and cover, layer by layer.
- herbaceous
- fennel — the anchor
works inside: insectary strip
design patterns using this plant