This is bronze fennel in the flower bed.  There, because nobody (the other plants) in the garden likes fennel.  Not sure why, but everything I've read says that.  I'll tell you who does like fennel:  black swallowtail butterflies.  That's why we grow it.

 

The butterflies use the fennel as a host plant for their caterpillars.  Sometimes we collect the caterpillars when they are big, and put them in an aquarium to cocoon and emerge as adult butterflies.  Then we release them into our flower garden to feed on nectar plants.  It's very exciting.  My preschoolers loved watching the whole process.  We love watching it still.  
 

This fennel isn't the kind that grows nice bulbs for salads, but the fronds are quite tasty, and the seeds are great in lots of dishes.  
 

So much fun in the garden this time of year.  Talk soon.  
 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!