Fennel - Foeniculum officinalis

Above the lowly plant it towers The fennel with its yellow flowers And in an earlier age than ours Was credited with wond'rous powers - Lost vision to restore. It gave new strength and fearless mood And gladiators, fierce and rude Mingled it with their food While he who conquered and subdued A wreath of fennel wore. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow~

In Fennel-seed, this vertue you shall find, Foorth of your lower parts to drive the winde. Of Fennel vertues foure they do recite, First it hath powers some poysons to expell, Next, burning Agues will it put to flight, The stomack it doth cleanse, and comfort well: And fourthly, it doth keepe, and cleanse the sight, And thus the seede and herbe doth both excell. ~The Englishman's Doctor, 1608~

Other Names: Finkle, Spignel

Description
A perennial with tall slender stalks, leaves like feathery plumage and golden flowers. It grows 4-6ft tall and has a spread of approx 2ft. It is a very decorative plant, especially the Garden Fennel. The Florence Fennel is more functional and is used as a vegetable.

Cultivation

Site:	Full sun is needed to ripen. A well drained loam ((NOT clay soils)) is best.
Propagation:	Sow late spring to early summer, but self seeds once established. Divide plants in autumn. To maintain, and sometimes increase, vigour, sow fresh every 3 years.
General Care:	Thin/transplant, before the taproot becomes too long, to 20" (50cm) apart. Remove seed heads not required to increase foliage production. Fennel is not suited to the indoors.
Harvest:	Collect seeds when ripe, young leaves and stems as desired and dig up bulbs in autumn.

Relationships:
Do not grow near dill or the seeds may cross-pollinate. Coriander reduces fennel seed production. Fennel retards the growth of beans. Aso unadvisable to plant near tomatoes or caraway.

Preserve: Dry/freeze leaves or infuse in oil/vinegar. Dry seed.

Warning:Use in moderation!