GROW FLAVORSOME FENNEL

Florence fennel, with its feathery leaves and white bulb-like stems that have many culinary uses, is a versatile vegetable that's also an attractive plant to have on your plot

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Florence fennel is grown for its feathery foliage and chunky white leafy bases, all of which are edible with a delicate aniseed flavour. It can be used in many different ways in the kitchen. Florence fennel (Foeniculum vulgare azoricum) is related to the herb or common fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) which is much taller with open feathery fronds in green or sometimes bronze colouring. The herb fennel does not have the bulbous base to the plant and is generally longer lived. If left in the ground it dies back in winter and regrows cach spring. That said, some gardeners have success keeping Florence fennel going for a year or two, especially if grown under cover, bur it is usually juse grown as an annual with fresh sowings each year.