Swallowtail Fennel is equal parts airy ornament and working pollinator plant. Filigreed blue-green foliage develops coppery tips, then rises into lacy gold umbels on 4–5-foot stems.
The leaves provide food for swallowtail caterpillars, while the flowers offer nectar and pollen to butterflies, ladybugs, lacewings, and other beneficial insects. Anise-scented fronds are edible in salads and tea, and the golden pollen is prized as a seasoning.
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Botanical name: Foeniculum vulgare ‘Purpureum’
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Life cycle: Perennial
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Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9
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Exposure: Full sun
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Sowing: Direct sow after hard frost or start indoors 4–6 weeks early
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Planting depth: 1/2 in.
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Germination: 14–21 days
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Mature height: 4–5 ft.
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Final spacing: 18 in.
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Approximate seed count: 120
Plant enough to share: harvest some aromatic foliage, but leave generous stems for caterpillars and a crown of flowers for adult pollinators. Browse more wildlife-friendly options in our flower seed packets.
