The Fennel Florence Finocchio, 'Foenicucum vulgare var. azoricum', is grown as a vegetable for the succulent, sweet, licorice-flavored bulbs or as a herb for the delicately flavored feathery foliage. If you have never had fennel bulb, you are missing a treat. It can be eaten raw or used very effectively in soups, deep fried, in pasta or sauteed. Seed produced by the Florence Fennel is also used in flavoring. The delicate foliage can be used as a flavoring herb.
Bulb production in hot summer climates requires a planting time in mid summer for fall harvest. In cool climates, plant in the spring after the last average frost date. Fennel does best in well drained, sandy soils with lots of organic matter. They need to be kept moist.