Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce Seeds | Berfena Fennel
LATIN NAME: Foeniculum vulgare var. Dulce
COMMON NAME: Berfena Fennel, Sweet Fennel
Plant Profile
Known to gardeners as Berfena Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare var. Dulce is a noteworthy species. Its flowers draw a steady traffic of bees and other beneficial insects. For the small amount of care it requires, the return is remarkable.
Science & Biotechnology
Like other members of the Foeniculum group, Foeniculum vulgare var. Dulce draws steady attention from botanists and plant breeders, who value the genus both as a subject of research and as a source of garden-worthy material. Modern flavour chemistry research has also examined anethole compound responsible for fennel’s characteristic anise-like taste, shared with a range of unrelated aromatic plants including true anise and star anise. The upshot for anyone sowing it is reassurance — cultivated stock of this plant has a long, well-documented track record.
Uses & Benefits
Berfena Fennel works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Its aniseed flavour makes it a natural pairing with fish and citrus in Mediterranean-style cooking. It takes hold quickly and asks for no special treatment from then on.
Fennel seed is among the world’s most-used digestive herbs, official in pharmacopoeias for gas, bloating and infant colic teas; its anethole-rich oil flavors everything from toothpaste to absinthe, and the bulb is a crisp aniseed vegetable.
Growing from Seed
Starting Berfena Fennel from seed is simple and satisfying. Sow seed directly into a loose, well-drained mix at a shallow depth, keeping it consistently moist. Full sun suits this crop well, and cooler autumn growing conditions generally produce the best bulb formation, since hot summer weather can cause the plant to bolt to flower before a substantial bulb develops. Sow the seed evenly over the surface and cover lightly, using a loose, well-drained seed compost, and keep it just moist in full sun until the seedlings are well up. Move strong seedlings into individual pots, keep them in good light, and set them out when the weather and their size agree.
Our Take
Its role in herbal practice, noted above, adds depth to an already garden-worthy plant. Berfena Fennel, Sweet Fennel earns its space through character rather than fuss. From then on, routine care is all that is required.
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