Fennel Varieties

Florence Fennel

• The most common garden fennel, Florence fennel may also be called sweet fennel, finocchio, or by its scientific name: Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum. This type of fennel forms bulbs with a texture similar to celery root. Florence fennel prefers cool summers, but can be planted for fall harvest in warm climates. This type of fennel can be used as a spice or eaten raw and cooked as a vegetable.

Bronze Fennel

• Similar to Florence fennel, bronze fennel or Foeniculum vulgare var. rubrum is more commonly grown as an ornamental. This purplish fennel is striking in the garden and has a similar flavor to Florence fennel, but isn't as sweet. It also retains its appearance better than its more common cousin, which can become quite ratty by the end of the summer. Bronze fennel tends to take over a planting bed unless its seeds are removed and any new seedlings pulled out in spring.

Sweet Fennel

• Roman fennel is also called sweet fennel, and is frequently confused with Florence fennel. The flavor, shape and size of this plant are similar to that of finocchio, but it does not produce the same bulblike growth at the bottom. Roman fennel is classified as Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce, and can be purchased under this name from seed suppliers. According to the Herb Society of America, this type of fennel is sometimes grown for oil production.

Pepper Fennel

• Pepper fennel, or Foeniculum vulgare var piperitum, is a less-common variety of garden fennel. It has thickened stalks that are sometimes eaten like celery, and may be called carosella in this format. This fennel has a sharper, more peppery taste than its sweeter relatives, but can still be used as a flavoring agent and cooked vegetable. This plant is also sometimes called Bulgarian fennel, Italian fennel or bitter fennel.