I have a little clump of Bronze Fennel at the bottom of the garden. Actually it's not very bronze these days. I think the colour has faded over the years because the plant is in a position where it doesn't get very much direct sunlight. Anyway, bronze or not, I like it for its structure and form - it's very photogenic. It's a difficult subject to do justice to from a distance, because of its insubstantial feathery leaves. The camera finds it hard to focus on anything in particular.
But in close-up it's a different matter. Here is a photo of a new leaf emerging. It shows the bronze colour quite well.
The flower-heads are just beginning to open too. They are fascinating in their complexity. The flowers begin life encased in a sort of sheath, from which they break out in much the same way as a chick hatches from an egg.
Unfortunately, it appears that aphids are fond of young Fennel flowers too...
If only the sun would shine on us for a while, these flowers would quickly open up.
Photos of fully open flowers will have to wait for another day!
I have fennel growing in the front garden, more for the wildlife than anything else, it does seed everywhere though. It is so hard to get rid of.
ReplyDeleteI do have fennel bulbs growing in the veg plot round the back, in a few weeks time they should have swollen enough to pick some to roast round a chicken for lunch. yum.
I'm very struck with the fifth one up from the bottom.
ReplyDeleteApparently you can use fennel pollen in cooking.
I'm intrigued by the thought of using Fennel pollen in cooking. Presumably it's a little bit like saffron. But how would you collect it? And who would have the patience to do it?
DeleteI had to dig my fennel up as it was getting so big and was in the wrong place - the new plant has become swamped with all the lush growth going on around it so it will probably disappear never to be seen again. Seeing close ups makes you realise what a beautifully delicate plant it is.
ReplyDeleteYour photography blows me away, bro. I worked as a professional photographer for 8 years and you certainly have a eye for the camera. I too, have a blog, but I'm new and having a time getting folks to find my blog. I do cooking and woodworking (grilling, smoking and slow barbecue). Come on over . . . maybe you will decide to follow, it would sure help my morale.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week, Steve
Steve; I looked at yuor blog today, but Blogger wouldn't let me leave a comment. Grrrr! Very impressive woodwork - but my interest is more towards the "Good Eats" part, so I loved the post on smoked fore-rib of beef. Truly awesome! Please post more about food, is all I can say! :-)
DeleteI love fennel, can you eat this variety?
ReplyDeleteDom, I think you could eat it, though I have only ever used the seeds. Of course it doesn't produce a bulb like Florence fennel, but I suppose you could use the leaves as a herb.
DeleteWe sometimes pick fennel sprigs to add to salad. It certainly seeds everywhere and if left til it had grown quite large has enormous roots which make for difficult when trying to dig it up. For delicate looking topgrowth it is a brute below ground. Apparently some plants are repelled by it and refuse to grow well if planted close. I know beans and tomatoes are a couple that don't like it.
ReplyDeleteSo are bronze fennel seeds like the ones you buy in the store? I need to grow fennel for those seeds as they are expensive here and I need them for sausage making.
ReplyDeleteBecky, I wouldn't choose Bronze Fennel if you need seeds for culinary use. Its chief value is ornamental. I'd go for the "regular" type of fennel. I look forward to hearing about you sausage-making. Fennel and pork will make a very Italian-style sausage.
DeleteLooks like a weed to me.....is it rude to say that? Fennel can be a problem here and as such has 'weed' status, as has been drummed into me by very landcare oriented parents.
ReplyDeleteIt's photogenic up close. I've never grown fennel myself.
ReplyDeleteThe emerging flowers are rather insectoid to me. Good eye as always...
ReplyDeleteHi Mark,
ReplyDeleteLove the photos of your fennel. As David says-the emerging flowers do almost look like a predatory being!!
I grow the red variety- Foeniculum vulgare 'Rubrum' Fennel Rubrum which I use in cooking-tonight we are actually having Sewin (Sea Trout) which is now in season, steamed with red fennel from the garden and a splash of vermouth. Very nice-if you like fish!