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Item Number: SWF5458

‘Swallowtail Fennel’ Butterfly Flower Seeds

A Feast for Butterflies and Bees

$3.69
/pack
$7 flat-rate shipping on qualifying seed-pack orders; free shipping at $50 Trusted since 1976 badge

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Description

The Fennel Swallowtail is a delightful addition to any garden, prized for its culinary versatility and ornamental appeal. This variety is known for its feathery, vibrant green foliage and delicate anise-like aroma, making it a favorite for both cooks and gardeners. The tender fronds are suited to garnishing dishes, adding to salads, or infusing into teas, while the flavorful bulbs provide a unique addition to roasted vegetables, soups, and sauces. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, Fennel Swallowtail is a hardy perennial in warmer climates and an annual in cooler regions.

Variety Details

  • Plant type: Annual
  • Growth habit: Upright
  • Crop category: Herb
  • Kitchen profile: The Fennel Swallowtail is a pleasant addition to any garden, prized for its culinary versatility and ornamental appeal.
  • Recorded feature: Container Compatible
  • Product format: Seed packet

Sowing & Growing

  • Light: Full Sun
  • Planting season: Spring
  • Starting location: Direct Sow or Start Indoors & Transplant
  • Recorded soil pH: 5.1 - 5.5 or 5.6 - 6.0 or 6.1 - 6.5 or 6.6 - 7.0 or 7.1 - 7.5 or 7.6 - 8.0
  • Recorded USDA zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Match ‘Swallowtail Fennel’ Butterfly Flower to the light, soil, and temperature information recorded for the species. Some herbs are direct sown, while others benefit from a protected start or species-specific pretreatment, so retain the packet for reference. Keep seed media from drying during establishment without leaving it saturated. Once plants are growing, harvest modestly so foliage remains for continued development. Assign perennial herbs a long-term location, and consider containers for species with a spreading habit.

Before sowing ‘Swallowtail Fennel’ Butterfly Flower, review the packet alongside the current product details and note any range in temperature, germination, or maturity. Ranges reflect biological and seasonal variation rather than a fixed promise. Label each planting with its date and location, then compare emergence, growth, and harvest with local weather. This record is useful for succession plantings and for deciding whether the crop fits better into an earlier or later seasonal window.

Explore related options in our Herb Seeds.

Seed Pack Shipping

Qualifying seed-pack-only orders under $50 ship for a $7 flat rate via USPS. Spend $50 or more on qualifying seed packs and receive free USPS shipping. Available within the contiguous 48 states.

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Shipping Information

Ships from Northern CA.

Shipping Weight: 0.01 lb

Dimensions: 4.5"L x 3.125"W x 0.1"H

Features

  • Attracts Bees/Butterflies
  • Attracts Beneficial Insects
  • Cold Hardy
  • Container Compatible
  • Down to 25°F
  • Fragrant
  • Heirloom
  • Open-Pollinated
  • Requires Summer Water
  • Somewhat Drought Tolerant
  • Useful for Ornamental

Characteristics

USDA Growing Zone: 5 - 10
Bloom Season : Fall
Bloom Season : Spring
Bloom Season : Summer
Flower Color : Yellow
Growth Habit : Upright
Life Cycle : Annual
Plant Family : Umbelliferae (Parsley)
Plant Usage : Attracts Beneficial Insects
Plant Usage : Culinary Herb
Planting Time : Spring
Seed Unit Sizes : Seed Pack
Soil pH : 5.1 - 5.5
Soil pH : 5.6 - 6.0
Soil pH : 6.1 - 6.5
Soil pH : 6.6 - 7.0
Soil pH : 7.1 - 7.5
Soil pH : 7.6 - 8.0
Starting Location : Direct Sow
Starting Location : Start Indoors & Transplant
Sun Requirements : Full Sun
Usage : Attracts Bees/Butterflies
Useful Plant Part : Leaves
Useful Plant Part : Seed
Useful Plant Part : Stems

Planting & Care

Soil & Water: Thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with consistent moisture. Avoid waterlogged conditions.

Planting & Growing: Sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost, or start indoors 4-6 weeks earlier. Plant in full sun. Thin seedlings to 12-18 inches apart. Grows 3-5 feet tall. Serves as a host plant for swallowtail butterfly larvae.

Harvesting & Storage: Harvest leaves as needed for culinary use. Allow some plants to flower to support butterfly populations.

Useful Information

Guarantee

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