Wild fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is one of the most treasured plants I have in my garden. Although this is the same species as seed commonly sold as the herb fennel, the wild strain has an intensity of flavor that is unparalleled and much treasured in the Provençal kitchen. In addition, the statuesque plants are extremely ornamental, with ferny foliage and chartreuse-yellow flower heads. Use the stems and greens to stuff baked or grilled fish; harvest the seeds...the entire plant is a culinary treasure trove. And the much-hyped 'fennel pollen' sold at exorbitant prices? It's nothing more than the dried florets. You're looking at them in the photo above.
Plant wild fennel in a sunny spot from spring through late summer in almost any soil. It is drought-tolerant. Perennial in warmer zones; behaves as a biennial or annual in the colder parts of the country.
I've searched for a year to find the right source of French native wildflower seeds to offer you. Here they are! Certified organically grown, these seeds are produced on a family flower farm in the Massif Central. One hundred percent of the process is artisanal, right down to the seed packets which are decorated with drawings of the content plants by the owner.
Size: 2 g (about 800 seeds)
Ships: Immediately
Origin: France
Angelica
Aromatic nigella
Basil 'Marseillais'
Celery 'Pipe Creuse de Malines '
Dry soils--'German' chamomile
French lavender
Petite pimprenelle
Sorrel 'Large de Belleville'
Thyme--Provence strain
Wild winter savory