Agastache foeniculum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ag-ah-STA-kee fen-ICK-yoo-lum
- Description
-
Anise hyssop is a herbaceous perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to north-central and northern North America, especially in the Great Plains and other prairies and fields. The Genus name comes from the Greek words meaning "very much" and "ear of wheat" referring to the flower spikes. The specific epithet comes from a Latin meaning hay.
It will grow 3 to 5 feet tall and 1.5 to 3 feet wide in full sun to partial shade in well-drained moist to dry soils. Good drainage is essential. Propagation is by division of clumps formed by the rhizomes or seeds. it is drought tolerant and deer tend to avoid it.
The lavender to purple flowers appear in dense whorls at the top 3-6 inches of stems in mid to late summer. It is a good nectar plant and is visited by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The leaves have an anise scent and are usable as a flavoring.
Use this plant in a naturalized area, in the border of a perennial garden or in groups.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Watch for Spider mites, thrips, aphids, whitefly, and slugs. Watch for rust, powdery mildew and leaf spots. Crown rot can occur in too wet soils.
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Blue Blazes'
- ‘Blue Fortune’
- 'Golden Jubilee'
- 'Blue Blazes'
- 'Blue Blazes', ‘Blue Fortune’ , 'Golden Jubilee'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Blazes'
- ‘Blue Fortune’
- 'Golden Jubilee'
- 'Blue Blazes'
- 'Blue Blazes', ‘Blue Fortune’ , 'Golden Jubilee'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Agastache
- Species:
- foeniculum
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America
- Distribution:
- USA: CO , CT , DE , IA , IL , MI , MN , MT , ND , NE , NH , NY , PA , SD , WA , WI , WY Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NT , ON , QC , SK
- Wildlife Value:
- Anise hyssop will attract bees, butterflies and/or birds to the garden.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- insects, diseases, deer and rabbit resistant
- Edibility:
- The foliage has an anise or licorice scent and can be used as flavoring in salads and teas. Seeds can be used in cookies cakes and muffins. Flower can be used as a seasoning or in tea.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit dries and splits to reveal seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Small blue to purple flowers on terminate in spikes that are about 3-6" long. The 1.3 inch 2-lipped flowers are arranged in dense whorls that are crowded along the spike. Flowering starts June and continues until late autumn.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 4 inch long and 2 inch wide ovate to broad-lanceolate green leaves with toothed margins. Fragrant.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Square green stems
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Insect Pests
- Rabbits