{"product_id":"fennel-swallowtail","title":"‘Swallowtail Fennel’ Butterfly Flower Seeds","description":"\u003cp\u003eSwallowtail 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eFoeniculum vulgare\u003c\/em\u003e ‘Purpureum’\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLife cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Perennial\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e USDA Zones 5–9\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSowing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Direct sow after hard frost or start indoors 4–6 weeks early\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1\/2 in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14–21 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–5 ft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinal spacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18 in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate seed count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 120\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003c!-- seed-starting-help:2026-08-23 --\u003e\u003caside aria-label=\"Seed-starting help\" style=\"margin:1.25rem 0;padding:.9rem 1.05rem;border-left:4px solid #8467a5;background:#f8f5ef;\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeed-starting help:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tiny seeds, large opinions. This variety can begin indoors or outside. Compare \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/news\/how-to-direct-sow-flower-seeds\"\u003edirect sowing\u003c\/a\u003e with \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/news\/how-to-start-flower-seeds-indoors\"\u003eindoor seed starting\u003c\/a\u003e, then check \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/news\/when-to-start-flower-seeds\"\u003ewhen to begin in your climate\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/aside\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant 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 \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/flower-seed-packets\"\u003eflower seed packets\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Renee's Garden","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44028145860667,"sku":"SWF5458","price":3.69,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0630\/3455\/6475\/files\/SWF5618.jpg?v=1787448285","url":"https:\/\/www.anniesannuals.com\/products\/fennel-swallowtail","provider":"Annie's Annuals \u0026 Perennials","version":"1.0","type":"link"}