Posted by Catmint20906 (Maryland - Zone 7a) on Aug 23, 2014 3:36 PM The blooms of Florence Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum) are very attractive to bees. In addition, this plant reportedly attracts a variety of beneficial insects to the garden, including parasitic mini-wasps, hoverflies, ladybugs, and lacewings. These beneficial insects consume many common garden pests including aphids, armyworms, codling moths, European corn borer, flies, gypsy moths, cabbageworms, mealybugs, soft scales, spider mites thrips, moth eggs, and small caterpillars. [ Reply to this comment | |
Posted by KFredenburg (Black Hills, SD - Zone 5a) on Jun 18, 2020 11:33 AM All parts of this plant are edible and have a mild anise or licorice flavor. Sweet fennel is used in French, Italian, and other cuisines. Young shoots are eaten either cooked or raw as a vegetable, the leaves are used in salads and for seasoning, and the seeds are used as a flavoring in cooking and in candy and liqueurs. It is sometimes called Wild Anise, although true anise is of the genus Pimpinella. [ Reply to this comment | |
Mgf6338 | On February 25, 2018 | Seeds sown Winter sown |