Your recommend watering Fennel frequently. I first became aware of fennel hiking in the hills of Santa Barbara where it grows wil

Question

d and presumably without regular watering? Is this “wild fennel” different in that regard? I’d like to plant it in my garden. Not to eat, but for it’s look.

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Answer 1

The cultivated varieties have a more ornamental feel to them, and often have larger features compared to its wild counterpart. Where they are found in the wild will be mostly undisturbed soil, which will likely lose moisture much more slowly.

This will be the reason behind regular watering in a garden plot. Disturbed soils tend to lose water much faster, so regular watering will be necessary.

This is not to say, though, that it will not survive dry conditions, because they will do so on many occasions. I'd say you will be fine growing the fennel with very little care.