Bronze Fennel

One of the most beautiful foliage plants in the garden — and a vital wildlife plant. Bronze Fennel produces tall, feathery plumes of hair-fine, bronze-copper foliage that catches the light like burnished metal, providing an airy, see-through quality that softens the border and makes every colour around it look more vivid. Flat-topped yellow flower heads in midsummer are outstanding for hoverflies and parasitic wasps.

Ultra-hardy (H7), self-seeding, and one of the most important plants for beneficial insects in the garden.

• Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum' — Hardy Perennial (H7)
• Height: 150–180cm | Flowers: July–August
• Sow indoors March–April or direct spring; full sun
• Well-drained soil — drought-tolerant once established
• Self-seeds freely — remove unwanted seedlings promptly
• Outstanding hoverfly and parasitic wasp plant

Grow it at the back of a hot border where the bronze plumes can catch the evening light and the hoverflies can find the flowers.