Dr. A's Top Picks for the Garden: Purple Fennel

Armitage Garden, May

In this episode, Dr. A highlights one of his most guilt-free plant recommendations: purple fennel.

Perfect for gardeners with limited space, purple fennel is a standout example of foodscaping—blending edible plants seamlessly into an ornamental garden. With its feathery purple foliage, graceful height, and unmistakable licorice fragrance, this plant earns its place anywhere it gets four to five hours of sun.

Dr. A shares why purple fennel works so well in ornamental borders, how fragrance adds another layer of enjoyment to the garden, and why gardeners shouldn’t panic when caterpillars appear. As a host plant for swallowtail butterflies, fennel plays an important ecological role—supporting the life cycle that leads to one of the garden’s most beloved visitors.

This episode is a reminder that beautiful plants can be practical, forgiving, and beneficial to nature—all at the same time.