This winner is a “First in Class,” as AAS has never before trialed and declared a fennel an AAS Winner. What is extremely fun about this winning plant is its many uses: as an edible bulb; for its ornamental fronds; as a seed producer; and as a favorite food of pollinators, namely swallowtail caterpillars. The AAS Judges described Antares as a very uniform, pure white, beautiful plant with a much improved, almost sweet, licorice/anise flavor as compared to other market varieties. It was also 7-10 days slower to bolt than comparison varieties. Many AAS Judges said they plan to plant this easy-to-grow fennel in their own gardens next year!
Direct seeding: space seeds 2″ apart in row, thin to 6″ spacing. Transplant: raise plants for 4 weeks in the greenhouse, transplant into the ground from late spring to late summer.
AAS Display Garden- River Valley Master Gardeners –
East to grow, lovely white bulbs. The fronds were favored by Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. Zone 6a
Jeni Cullen, Eden Park, Cincinnati, OH –
Grown as an ornamental rather than an edible, this plant has been a standout in the garden. It has reliably returned the past 3 years and attracts a multitude of swallowtail caterpillars each year. I will definitely be adding more to the gardens as a beautiful, frothy accent and host plant for our winged friends.