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FERRUNA COMMUNIS (GIANT FENNEL)

theconstantgardenerinwalestheconstantgardenerinwales Posts: 71
in Plants
Hello folks, here I am again!!  After having no problems to ask about for a very long time, I now have a second one in just 2 weeks.
I hope someone may be able to advise me please, as 2 hours on google just confused me more!

SO, here I go! I have lived in this house for 6 years and initially thought that the low growing Fennel type leaves on a plant in full sun in a corner of the garden was nice enough to keep.( No fragrance but quite attractive.) 

This year however, for the very first time, it grew to about 5 ft tall with large, thick stems and brachts that put out beautiful yellow flowers ( the size of a hand ) in abundance! It really has been a show stopper. I now know that it is a Giant fennel. What I am trying to find out is, (And I am hoping that one of you may have one too?)
  
Now that the flowers are going over and the wind last night has smashed down two of the thick, strong stems overnight. How do I look after it? 

Do I cut it to the ground when it dies back? Cut off the thick stems only?( It will take a saw ,as the stems are very thick and strong. ) Do I leave it for the  seeds drop? and will they self seed? Also, In my research so far, one gardener who grew it in the Mediteranian ( video online) announced that the whole thing flowers only once, and then, it dies!
I would hate that to happen, especially as it was really beautiful this year. 
Please can anyone advise me? I will be most grateful.
Many grateful thanks in advance. Happy Gardening to you all.
Hazel Lucas.
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Posts

  • SalixGoldSalixGold Posts: 450
    This doesn't answer your question, but it is a nice article. Dixter and Beth Chatto's are famous for their giant plants. It does take some years before it flowers.


  • theconstantgardenerinwalestheconstantgardenerinwales Posts: 71
    Thank you so much for that article it was really enjoyable. I hadn't realised what an unusual plant I had inherited!! Strangely, it is growing with a Bamboo! and a very large castor oil tree.  It doesn't actually take up a lot of room but the Fennel has swamped the Bamboo this year.
     I think the actual bottom of the plant is probably only 2 feet in Diametre but when in full flower, it was about 5 feet , like a big umbrella! It is in the only corner that I haven't changed to make my Cottage garden.

    We are in a Welsh village, surrounded by Mountains! Perhaps the plant lost its way
     seeds! There are thousands of them! Perhaps I will build a JUNGLE! 

     Many thanks for the article. 
     Best Wishes, Hazel. 






  • SalixGoldSalixGold Posts: 450
    I would love to grow it. It is a bit more common in the south of England; good to know it's thriving in mountainous Wales.

    Tree stake supports might help future canes from breaking.

    You are doing things right if it has been thriving for so long by you. The usual advice is to mulch it well for winter.

    This site says that the plant is indeed monocarpic, so may die after flowering (as you say). In the right conditions (like Dixter) it does freely self seed. You may want to collect seed and grow it on as well.


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I understand it seeded everywhere at Great Dixter. If it likes you beware.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    I never knew such a thing existed. 

    If it behaves at all like the bog standard fennel then be careful letting it go to seed. 

    I’ve pulled up about 100 seedlings this year. It’s ALMOST as bad as Verbena. 
  • theconstantgardenerinwalestheconstantgardenerinwales Posts: 71
    SalixGold said:
    I would love to grow it. It is a bit more common in the south of England; good to know it's thriving in mountainous Wales.

    Tree stake supports might help future canes from breaking.

    You are doing things right if it has been thriving for so long by you. The usual advice is to mulch it well for winter.

    This site says that the plant is indeed monocarpic, so may die after flowering (as you say). In the right conditions (like Dixter) it does freely self seed. You may want to collect seed and grow it on as well.

  • theconstantgardenerinwalestheconstantgardenerinwales Posts: 71
    I am going to try! if I am successful YOU can have the first plant! Thank you for the information. I feel a bit of a fraud because I did nothing! just let it grow!

    I bet the previous house owners would be well fed up if they knew!
    They will never know,they may just be wondering if that plant they chose DID actually flower.( What a shame.)
    Enjoy your garden.
    Hazel 

  • SalixGoldSalixGold Posts: 450
    theconstantgardenerinwales said:
    I am going to try! if I am successful YOU can have the first plant! Thank you for the information. I feel a bit of a fraud because I did nothing! just let it grow!
    That's the joy of gardening!

    It likes very sharp drainage, so if it's a bit soggy overwiner where you are, it might not self seed well.

    Interestingly, rods and whips for punishment were traditionally made from the plant. From there derives the Latin word ferire (to hit). And from there 'ferule' (a wide ruler used historically to beat children).


  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited June 2023
    Can you eat it?
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • theconstantgardenerinwalestheconstantgardenerinwales Posts: 71
    I wouldn't like to try bit, it IS very beautiful.
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