‘Swallowtail Fennel’ Butterfly Flower Seeds

Swallowtail Fennel is equal parts airy ornament and working pollinator plant. Filigreed blue-green foliage develops coppery tips, then rises into lacy gold umbels on 4–5-foot stems. The leaves provide food for swallowtail caterpillars, while the flowers offer nectar and pollen to butterflies, ladybugs, lacewings, and other beneficial insects. Anise-scented fronds are edible in salads and tea, and the golden pollen is prized as a seasoning. Botanical name: Foeniculum vulgare ‘Purpureum’ Life cycle: Perennial Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9 Exposure: Full sun Sowing: Direct sow after hard frost or start indoors 4–6 weeks early Planting depth: 1/2 in. Germination: 14–21 days Mature height: 4–5 ft. Final spacing: 18 in. Approximate seed count: 120 Seed-starting help: Tiny seeds, large opinions. This variety can begin indoors or outside. Compare direct sowing with indoor seed starting, then check when to begin in your climate. Plant enough to share: harvest some aromatic foliage, but leave generous stems for caterpillars and a crown of flowers for adult pollinators. Browse more wildlife-friendly options in our flower seed packets.