Hyssop Agastache foeniculum
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Hyssop:
- Phonetic Spelling
- ag-ah-STA-kee fen-ICK-yoo-lum
- Description
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Planted in full or partial sun and mesic to dry conditions, this herbaceous perennial grows 3 to 5 feet tall and is planted 12 to 24 inches apart in well-drained soil. The foliage has an anise or licorice scent and can be used as a flavoring in salads and teas. Seeds can be used in cookies cakes and muffins. The upper stems terminate in spikes of flowers that can come in many colors about 3-6" long. The small flowers are arranged in dense whorls that are crowded along the spike and the flowers are replaced by smooth, oval-shaped nutlets. Flowering starts, even in unfavorable summers, in late July and continues until late autumn. The plants will self-seed in the garden and usually overwinter well if the soil is well-drained. Anise hyssop will attract bees, butterflies and/or birds to the garden. If you decide to propagate this plant, division can be done in spring or fall.
No serious insect or disease problems. Crown/root rot may develop in poorly drained soils. Watch for rust, powdery mildew and leaf spots.
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
- 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:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- 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:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Seeds can be used in cookies cakes and muffins.
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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 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 Description:
- Square green stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible 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
