Pruning guide
How to prune bronze fennel
More bronze fennel care
- How to prune fennel — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Full bronze fennel care guide
- Common bronze fennel problems & fixes
- How to propagate bronze fennel
- When to repot bronze fennel
Pruning bronze fennel — FAQ
When should I prune bronze fennel?
Deadhead umbels in late summer before seeds drop; cut back hard in autumn or early spring. Snip off flower umbels as they fade, before seed sets. In autumn, cut all stems to within a few centimetres of the crown. If growing for foliage rather than flowers, cut stems back to 30 cm in midsummer to force a flush of fresh bronze foliage.
How often does bronze fennel need pruning?
Deadhead regularly in summer; cut back once per year in autumn or spring. Bronze fennel is a tall herbaceous perennial that benefits from cutting back to near ground level in autumn or early spring. Deadhead spent flower umbels promptly to control prolific self-seeding — fennel self-sows vigorously. For foliage production, cut stems back before flowering to encourage fresh feathery growth. Divide congested clumps every few years.
How do you prune bronze fennel?
Snip off flower umbels as they fade, before seed sets. In autumn, cut all stems to within a few centimetres of the crown. If growing for foliage rather than flowers, cut stems back to 30 cm in midsummer to force a flush of fresh bronze foliage.