It’s a cool-weather crop that can be planted after the last frost for a spring harvest, or mid to late summer for an autumn harvest. The downside is that the caterpillars eat the leaves. When growing it as a host plant, follow the instructions for carrots, above. One of the most amazing things about bronze fennel is that it is a host plant for swallowtail butterflies. When the dill-like flowers emerge, enjoy the visiting butterflies, and collect fennel pollen if you so desire. All Rights Reserved. Better Know a Host Plant is a series of posts all about common to rare butterfly host plants. Hardy in zones 5-11. The other made it to the butterfly stage. The flowers are great for attracting pollinators, especially butterflies. Accept a few holes in leaves for the pleasure of having butterflies. Website Design and Development by Take Notice. You just want the caterpillars to be happy and turn into butterflies. Choose a container at least 12 inches deep; fennel forms a taproot so the container must be deep enough for the root. I didn't know it liked to be grown alone so need to keep an eye on nearby plants. Fennel & Dill. The bronze fennel is the perfect host plant to keep your garden active with Eastern Black Swallowtail butterflies. In the back of my garden, I have a small patch of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) that grows year-round and stands five feet tall. Moist, well-drained soil. Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare Fact … Attractive butterflies, such as the old-world swallowtail and the anise swallowtail butterfly, use fennel as a plant food. Fennel is usually grown as an edible herb in the food garden, but it also is used in meadow or cottage gardens as a border plant. Again, thank you for such an interesting and informative article. In a modest neighborhood under the Sea-Tac flyway, Janice Peltier's nursery, Herban Renewal, sends bursts of color and exuberant foliage sprawling out to the parking strip. Similar in taste to licorice, it’s especially common in fish dishes. Fennel can be started from seed, but it’s also one of those vegetables that regrows very well from the stub that’s left over after you finish cooking with it.Keep reading to learn more about how to grow fennel … Up to 6 feet tall, may need staking in windy areas. I was starting in on photos of lacewings when winter hit. Before plucking it off in frustration, know that you might be looking at the larva of the black swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes).If we want to enjoy butterflies flitting among our flowers, we must … Easy to grow It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to … The butterflies laying the eggs can't distinguish the difference, so the balance between available food and the number of … It is also a good choice for butterfly gardens, as swallowtail caterpillars use it as a food source and pupal site. For a unique tasty addition to your meals, consider growing the fennel plant! I'd also say it's definitely worth growing herb fennel too - it's very graceful in flower and as well as butterflies the hoverflies love it." I especially like Florence fennel, or finocchio, a bulbing variety that gives you a vegetable, an herb, and two spices over its lifespan. Parsleyworms are so named because they feed on members of the parsley family, Apiaceae, including parsley, dill, carrot, Queen Anne’s lace, and of course, fennel. But you will also find butterflies and bees visiting fennel for the sweet nectar. Six-foot fennel brushes the mailbox, its fronds be-decked with green and yellow Anise Swallowtail caterpillars. Common fennel produces large branches that can reach up to five feet in height. If you don’t have a lot of space in your garden, don’t worry – you can easily grow fennel in a container. Since swallowtail butterflies lay their eggs on any member of the Apiaceae family, you might occasionally find them on your carrots or parsley as well. Fennel can be transplanted as well (it is reportedly abundant naturally in the Western states). (aka Sweet Anise) Plant Milkweed. Fennel is only beneficial to dill, and in fact is detrimental to almost every other plant species. If growing the plant for seed, either for culinary purposes or for the following year’s planting, allow the plant to flower and then go to seed. It’s a great option for growing in raised garden beds, containers, and in-ground gardens. Just keep in mind as the caterpillar matures, it will be munching on the host plant as its food source. Leave a few flowers to produce seed to keep the plant coming back in your yard. It grows so large and aromatic that it can sometimes overpower nearby plants. The No-Waste Vegetable Cookbook is my latest book. Flowering season: Mid to late summer. Several years ago, a lady from California was visiting and when she saw all the fennel growing in our garden, she says, “you need to weed that out. Garden Betty independently selects products to feature on this site. Similar in taste to licorice, it’s especially common in fish dishes. Created Date: Florence fennel – This is the fennel you want if you’re interested in harvesting a meaty bulb for cooking. And the fifth and final instar, also known as the chrysalis stage. 4-5 feet tall. Learn how your comment data is processed. Fennel can also be grown as an ornamental. The large flower heads provide nectar for adult butterflies and are one of their preferred host herbs. The feathery foliage has a mild, anise-like flavor and scent. The Plant produces large, flat clusters of yellow flowers that bloom in the summer and attract butterflies. I didn't know it liked to be grown alone so need to keep an eye on nearby plants. After all, the secret to a good life is... Read more ». This is a must-have plant anywhere around your home for yourself or your butterfly ‘friends’. This hungry caterpillar is eating with a voracious appetite. It has pretty yellow flowers that bloom in July and August in umbels, small clusters that radiate from a single area on the stalk. Laura Kassler Gaines liked this on Facebook. The Egyptians and the Chinese used it strictly for medicinal purposes and their lore was brought back to Europe by early traders. The pungent aroma is considered inviting, while the rich, earthy flavor is known to significantly contribute to the taste of many dishes. The leaves will grow back. Isn’t it incredible how a single plant can be host to such wildlife? It will host eggs, caterpillars and the chrysalis. For more details on growing dill and parsley: Six Easy-to-Grow Herbs. She suggests carefully moving caterpillars from plants you use and highly desire to those you grow specifically for the caterpillars. Herb Gardens for Butterflies by Claire Hagen Dole. Fennel will attract the entire life cycle of the black swallowtail butterfly. Growing conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil. In terms of insects and infestations, slugs and snails may find your fennel plant interesting. Try growing fennel in your herb garden this spring! Fennel attracts ladybugs, syrphid fly, and tachinid fly and repels aphids. Sometimes I’ll harvest the fronds for a salad or a bulb for my favorite seafood stew, or even the pollen or seeds for my cooking, but for the most part, I let the fennel grow “wild” … I have many stages of their growth photographed as well. The good news is that … Sometimes I’ll harvest the fronds for a salad or a bulb for my favorite seafood stew, or even the pollen or seeds for my cooking, but for the most part, I let the fennel grow “wild” here. Although the licorice-tasting culinary herb is primarily grown for its shoots, foliage and seeds, caterpillars, like those of the black swallowtail use it as a host plant. Plant it in a sunny spot at the back of a border. Fennel can be invasive, but like any plant, you can grow it responsibly in your garden and treat it as an annual, if need be. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Otherwise, fennel isn’t a great companion plant for other plants in your garden in a traditional sense. Zones: 4-9 Butterflies have specific needs that can be easily incorporated into any garden. I don't even remember dropping seed into the big pot but one spring, there it was, happily putting forth that wonderfully scented foliage. Fennel is known to attract bees, butterflies and birds. Butterfly Nectar Plants. Choose a fennel variety. I think it's a function of only having a container of fennel rather than a meadow with stands of fennel. Set some plants aside that you don't mind being devoured. Common Name: Fennel. West of the Rockies, parsleyworms are the beginnings of the anise swallowtail butterfly. Bloom time: June through September. … I have all the stages of growth, from eggs to butterfly, photographed (macro) of the black swallowtail butterfly. It also serves as a host plant for the caterpillars of black swallowtail butterflies. Herbaceous perennial. Clusters of tiny yellow flowers bloom in summer. Fennel is not only tasty in salads and other dishes but is a delicacy to growing swallowtail caterpillars. During the Middle Ages, it was believed to hold magical qualities and people hung fennel plants over their doors to drive away evil spirits. What Butterflies Can I Attract to My Garden? A sprinkle of this currently trendy ingredient … Fennel leaves can be harvested as the bulb grows. Cantino fennel – Slow to go to seed. Also, it can inhibit the growth of tomatoes and beans, so avoid planting them near either of those crops. Growing fennel is a wonderful way to add spice to recipes using home grown ingredients. How to Make Recycled Newspaper Pots for Seed Starting, Video: Watch a Mason Bee Emerge From a Cocoon, The Superhydrophobic Surface of Nasturtium Leaves, Life in the Slow Lane: 37 States in 48 Days. Fennel can be started from seed, but it’s also one of those vegetables that regrows very well from the stub that’s left over after you finish cooking with it.Keep reading to learn more about how to grow fennel from scraps. Be sure not to trim more than a third of the plant … Fennel is a gorgeous Mediterranean perennial herb that does well in winter and early spring gardens in moderate climates. Parsleyworms, the striking caterpillars that eventually turn into swallowtail butterflies. Suitable for … Parsley – Parsley is a wonderful host plant for butterflies and a great source of nectar if it is given the chance to flower. Tags: fennel … What attracted me to this plant was the fine-textured foliage and the dark and rust colors it turns. Fennel-Fennel is the companion plant to dill. ... fennel, Queen Anne’s Lace, passion vine, ilkweed and many grasses. Nectar plants provide food for adult butterflies and host plants provide food for butterfly larvae and a place for butterflies to lay their eggs. The upside is that there is so much plant material, you really don’t care. I like the taste too so I can relate. Bronze Fennel Plant (Foeniculum vulgare purpureum/rubrum) Quick Facts: Host plant to Black Swallowtail. To learn about parsley attracting butterflies and tips for growing parsley for butterflies, click here. It seems that almost all butterflies enjoy dill and fennel; as both a nectar source and a host plant. Last year they overdid that and overgrazed the plant. You can harvest fennel leaves anytime during the growing season – the more you trim it, the bushier it will become, leading to more and bigger harvests for you. Up to 6 feet tall, may need staking in windy areas. Fennel is a popular vegetable for many gardeners because it has such a distinctive flavor. Name: Foeniculum vulgare . Each week during the butterfly season we will feature a host plant that we have experience with, or just find interesting! Copyright 2008-2020 Gardens With Wings. I don't even remember dropping seed into the big pot but one spring, there it was, happily putting forth that wonderfully scented foliage. Fennel can grow up to 5 feet tall, depending on which variety you're growing. Colorful blue-green, and copper-bronze foliage is a beautiful contrast with the green foliage and bright colors of summer annuals. The type of fennel you choose to grow will depend on what part of the fennel plant you wish to use -- the bulb, the fronds or the seeds. Fennel is a Mediterranean plant that has been introduced to the U.S. Over many years, it has naturalized in our area. Fennel For the Butterflies In the back of my garden, I have a small patch of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) that grows year-round and stands five feet tall. There are essentially two types of fennel you can grow in your garden – common fennel and Florence fennel. Florida Plant ID: Fennel; UF/IFAS Publications . My one huge plant was an ecosystem in itself! Swallowtail Butterfly Host Plants. See more ideas about growing fennel, fennel, fennel recipes. They were … Yes, correct. Yellow aromatic flowers in late summer. Fennel is high in vitamin C and has been used as an herbal remedy for digestive issues for many thousands of years. Pests: Fennel is a member of the parsley family. Sep 7, 2016 - Board dedicated to the world of growing fennel!. Here’s the first (or possibly second) instar…, The fourth instar (with the plump black-and-green striped body that you may be most familiar with)…. UF/IFAS Sites . The fennel bulb is used like a vegetable and adds nuanced flavoring to all kinds of foods such as roasted fowl, vegetables, and soups. If you find a parsleyworm feeding where it shouldn’t be feeding, you can simply relocate it to your fennel patch and at the end of the season, you’ll still have some bulbs to harvest. Day lilies, bee balm, and lavender are edible perennials often visited by butterflies … Its feathery foliage provides nice contrast to broad-leaved plants. Its blooms provide a source of nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies and hoverflies. Space fennel plants 4 to 12 inches apart, depending on the variety. Its feathery foliage provides nice contrast to broad-leaved plants. I grow Bronze Fennel in ground in part shade and in a huge pot in full sun and both plantings do well. Moist, well-drained soil. Growing Parsley for Butterflies Although parsley grows in a variety of conditions, it performs best in full sunlight and relatively rich, well-drained soil. Here's a hint: Fennel can self-seed aggressively in the garden; keep it under control by cutting off most of the flowers as they fade. I’ve never planted it but find it popping up where I removed the lawn and do my best to remove it! Suitable for containers. As it turns out Bronze fennel is one of the favorite host plants for Swallowtail butterflies and while in their caterpillar phase they love feasting on fennel. Fennel can grow very tall and like Dill it will have large lacy flower heads. About Us | Contact Us | Volunteer | Advertise Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility | Site Map Sweet Fennel with a Swallowtail Caterpillar. Susie Merry Johnson liked this on Facebook. And if you’re a fan of growing herbs, ... Swallowtail butterflies like to lay their eggs on fennel and other members of the parsley family, and they should be left alone if possible, to encourage the native pollinators to thrive in your garden. Fennel. It also serves as a host plant for the caterpillars of black swallowtail butterflies. What does it trap? I planted a small six pack, thinking that it would be a one-season plant, in the same way that one might buy marigolds or basil. Fennel. Fennel can also be grown as an ornamental. Garden Betty is where I write about modern homesteading, farm-to-table cooking, and outdoor adventuring — all that encompass a life well-lived outdoors. Flowering plants such as Passion Vine and Milkweed, herbs like Fennel, and trees such as Sweet Bay Magnolia are all used as host plants. Easy to grow Plant fennel in spring after the last frost. Fennel attracts ladybugs, syrphid fly, and tachinid fly and repels aphids. Because tiny caterpillars cannot travel far to find their own food, the female butterfly locates and lays her eggs on only the type of plant that the caterpillar can use as food. Keep fennel in full sun and the soil well drained. Fennel will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity extending to 5 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 3 feet. Fennel's bright yellow flowerheads are rich in nectar and pollen – food for mining bees, yellow-faced bees, bumblebees and honeybees. Nov 13, 2016 - My parsley is attracting butterflies; what?s going on? A win all around. “If you like dill but not fennel, grow dill next to fennel and transfer the caterpillars to the fennel,” said Gilpin. Ben Vanheems on Wednesday 16 August 2017 "Hello, I love eating raw fennel and this year bought some seedlings for the first time. As we continue to replace native vegetation with lawns and exotic ornamental plants, we often remove the only food source for butterfly caterpillars and dramatically decrease their populations—and, of course, our chances of attracting butterflies to our gardens. Sun: Full … 🙂. I grow Bronze Fennel in ground in part shade and in a huge pot in full sun and both plantings do well. Full sun, tolerates partial shade. I love it. Rhondo fennel – A bulb-type fennel that produces a round bulb and matures early. Title: Growing Herbs for Butterflies Author: Cindy Meredith Subject: Here are a few herbs that will attract butterflies to your garden. I always have bronze fennel planted for the butterflies. All Rights Reserved Website Design and Development by Take Notice. Find wild fennel in an open undisturbed fields and save the seeds for your garden at home. Spreads 2 … The branching feathery fronds crowned by intricate yellow flowers provide valuable nectar and pollen to a wide range of butterflies, ladybugs, lacewings and other beneficial insects. Lean or tie the stake to the plant's upper portion for balance. This is a must-have plant anywhere around your home for yourself or your butterfly ‘friends’. Herbaceous perennial. Cons of Growing Florence Fennel. Hardy in zones 5-11. Fennel is only beneficial to dill, and in fact is detrimental to almost every other plant species. Butterfly Host Plants Be prepared for heavy munching on your host plants! Already the swallowtails have deposited eggs and caterpillars have hatched. The fennel herb (Foeniculum vulgare) has a long and varied history of use. Bronze Fennel and Swallowtail Butterflies About four or five years ago, I planted bronze fennel in the dye and fiber plant garden at Bramble Hill Farm . Fennel and dill are virtually a must for anyone planting an edible butterfly garden. Fennel. Steve Albert. My Fennel is growing really well again this year. Plant seeds directly in the garden after all danger of frost has passed in spring, or start them indoors six to … The feathery, yellow-green foliage and tall stature are attractive in informal landscapes. North by Northwest Farm liked this on Facebook. They can be found in all stages of life on these host plants, and it’s truly fascinating to revisit your plants each week to see their natural transformation. Aside from being edible and beautiful with wisps of anise fragrance wafting through the air, it also happens to be a beneficial plant that functions as a trap crop. Ben Vanheems on Wednesday 16 August 2017 "Hello, I love eating raw fennel and this year bought some seedlings for the first time. Readily reseeds If you grow parsley, dill, fennel, or carrots, you may encounter a beautifully striped, colorful caterpillar chomping on the foliage. Hardy in USDA zones 4-9. The main reason I grow fennel is for the butterflies, as this, Italian parsley, dill, etc. Parsley is a butterflyfriendly plant, and is especially beneficial for attracting swallowtails. Space plants about 1 foot apart. Bronze Fennel Plant (Foeniculum vulgare purpureum/rubrum) Quick Facts: Host plant to Black Swallowtail. Moist, well-drained soil. Blogged on Garden Betty: Fennel For the Butterflies http://t.co/ahjioVjXTV. Marty Ashton-Thomas liked this on Facebook. If you remove a … 4-5 feet tall. Prefers full sun. Yellow aromatic flowers in late summer. The Black Swallowtail and the Anise Swallowtail use fennel as host plants, along with parsley, dill, rue, queen anne’s lace, and carrot. When growing it as a host plant, follow the instructions for carrots, above. Check out our tips for growing, harvesting, and using fennel from your garden. The fact sheet and poster set available through the Texas AgriLife Extension Service (below), is a beginners guide to selecting host plants for our most common butterfly gardening species, including the black swallowtail on parsley, dill or fennel, the gulf frittilary on passion vine, and monarch butterfly on milkweeds. Container growing: Common fennel will grow easily in a container. Plant fennel as a trap crop for parsleyworms and watch their transformation. I'm a plant lover, passionate road-tripper, and cookbook author whose expert advice and bestselling books have been featured in TIME, Outside, HGTV, and Food & Wine. Reply. Wild fennel is an annual in the upper Midwest, but in warmer climates can be a biennial or perennial. An adult black swallowtail butterfly Florence fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. Its eastern version is the black swallowtail butterfly, and while the butterflies look distinctly different, their caterpillars and chrysalises are nearly identical. Be sure to take its eventual size into account at planting time so it doesn't shade the rest of your vegetables. Fennel is known to attract bees, butterflies and birds. Looks so pretty but it’s seriously invasive in my area of So Cal. Moist, well-drained soil. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Lavender is showy and fragrant—attractive to … This gorgeous feathery looking herb stands up to 6 feet tall and has an aromatic scent. Small populations can be removed by hand. Perennial herb. The anise swallowtail is a beautiful yellow and black butterfly that especially likes the nectar of lily-of-the-Nile (Agapanthus). Hardy in USDA zones 4-9. I originally planted this fennel to attract butterflies. Size: To 6 feet tall and 2 feet wide. I also discovered that aphids like the fennel and that attracts ladybugs. They have large appetites, so unless you planted enough for yourself and the butterflies, it can be a depressing sight to see your food crop munched down to its stems by an army of hungry caterpillars. Growing fennel is a nice way to ensure you have a ready supply of an otherwise hard to find herb. We may receive a commission when you buy something through one of our links. Fennel is one of the host plants for this beautiful butterfly’s larvae. A tall-growing hardy perennial, Valeriana officinalis produces clusters of sweetly-scented pale pink flowers from mid- to late-summer. are host plants for the Black Swallowtail caterpillars. It attracts beneficial insects and butterflies to the garden. Swallowtail butterflies may even lay eggs and feed on your fennel plants. Fennel For the Butterflies http://t.co/IfyU29ADi0 #gardenchat. Host plant to Black Swallowtail and Anise Swallowtail. To my knowledge, only two caterpillars survived and I think only one successfully became a butterfly. Fennel flowers are attractive to butterflies, and fennel is a host plant for the caterpillars of black swallowtail and anise swallowtail butterflies. Perennial herb. Not yet at least. Clusters of tiny yellow flowers bloom in summer. Dill is one of a very few known plants that will successfully grow near fennel. Stake the fennel plant if their height puts roots stability at risk. As the parsleyworm eats and grows, it sheds an exoskeleton and emerges with a completely different appearance. A prime butterfly plant, the copper-bronze fronds of Smokey Bronze fennel send up tall branching stalks crowned by intricate yellow flowers that … Florence Fennel is grown for its bulbous stem, which can be eaten raw, grilled or baked. Readily re-seeds. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I'd also say it's definitely worth growing herb fennel too - it's very graceful in flower and as well as butterflies the hoverflies love it." Common Butterflies and their Host Plants Latin Name: Foeniculum vulgare. Space plants about 1 foot apart. Readily re-seeds. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. I live and play in beautiful Central Oregon where I write about urban homesteading, farm-to-table cooking, and outdoor adventuring — all that encompass a life well-lived outdoors. Fennel as a herb is grown as a perennial and although closely related to the Florence Fennel which we would eat the bulb from it has differences. It’s from here that the parsleyworm pupates and emerges as an adult butterfly. Fennel is not only tasty in salads and other dishes but is a delicacy to growing swallowtail caterpillars. Fennel is a popular vegetable for many gardeners because it has such a distinctive flavor. But, the pair of aromatic herbs are particularly … I believe the secret to a good life is... Read more. Growing Fennel in a Container or Indoors. And finally, fennel is a host plant for swallowtail butterflies, so don’t kill the larvae you’re sure to find chowing down on the leafy fronds. A plant that gives butterflies shelter required for laying eggs and serves as a food source to their caterpillars is called a host plant. Dill is one of a very few known plants that will successfully grow near fennel. Parsley, Dill, Fennel, all the Salvias-- these herbs all attract butterflies at some stage in their life cycle. Fennel can really grow. Grow them in an area that gets at least 6 hours of sun and has fertile, well-drained soil. Host plant to Black Swallowtail and Anise Swallowtail. This year my fennel doesn’t have any critters on it. This is a must-have plant anywhere around your home for yourself or your butterfly ‘friends’. Harvest and Storage. In total, it goes through five instars (stages) of life. Parsley, fennel, oregano, and mint will make sure you are contributing food for butterflies and caterpillars to see all life stages. October 11 at 7:42 pm. Planting a separate crop of fennel (or any related member) can help preserve the butterflies in your garden. © Garden Betty 2010-2020. The herb tastes of aniseed and also produces aromatic seeds. Fennel makes a good addition to butterfly gardens statewide when temperatures cool in fall and winter. Winter growing: Fennel can be grown outdoors in mild winter regions. Troubleshooting Fennel. Plant in very well-drained soil and keep a close eye on young seedlings, which grow slowly at first – their unusual bronze color can make them easy to weed out by accident! Parsleyworms turn into black swallowtail butterflies, which are good pollinators. The herb fennel will attract the entire life cycle of the black swallowtail butterfly. Full sun, tolerates partial shade. Special Notes. Fennel is not only tasty in salads and other dishes but is a delicacy to growing swallowtail caterpillars. Special Notes. Spreads 2-3 feet horizontally. Prefers full sun. Sweet Fennel with a Swallowtail Caterpillar. The feathery foliage has a mild, anise-like flavor and scent. Bronze fennel – A pretty ornamental variety that’s grown for its fronds and seeds.

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