Foeniculum vulgare

With its feathery, delicate foliage and sweet, anise-like flavor, fennel is both a beautiful and functional addition to the garden. This tall, airy herb produces yellow umbrella-shaped flowers in summer and is a magnet for pollinators—especially swallowtail butterflies, whose caterpillars love its leaves. Both the bulb and feathery fronds are edible, making it a versatile culinary herb for fresh salads, roasted dishes, and teas.

Space plants about a foot apart.

Tip: Besides growing in your herb garden, fennel makes a stunning backdrop in flower beds with its tall, wispy texture and pollinator-friendly blooms.