Bronze fennel is known for the faint licorice/anise flavor it brings to cooking and its 'Purpureum' is noted for its attractive purple-bronze foliage. It grows 3-5' tall and can spread to 2-3'. It blooms yellow flowers in June to July and likes full sun. It somewhat resembles a very large dill plant.
Fennel can also be grown as an ornamental. Its feathery foliage provides a nice contrast to broad-leaved plants. It also serves as a host plant for the caterpillars of black swallowtail butterflies.
Easily grown in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun. May be grown from seed that is sown directly in the garden in spring. Freely self-seeds in the garden. Remove spent flowering stems before seed is produced to avoid any unwanted self-seeding.