Hyssopus officinalis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hiss-SOP-us oh-fiss-ih-NAH-liss
- Description
-
This semi-evergreen perennial is native of Southern and Eastern Europe, however, it has naturalized in some areas of the USA. It performs best when grown in a location that provides some shade from the hot afternoon sun. It also prefers well-drained, fertile loam soil but will do well in a variety of other soils, include dry sandy conditions.
It can be grown as a low hedge. Trimming in the spring is best and will aid in the overall health of the plant. Untrimmed plants will degenerate over time.
Its leaves and young shoot tips are edible both raw or used as a flavoring in a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, and salads. Its oils are sometimes used in potpourris, as a food flavoring, in perfumes, and to flavor liquor.
A self-fertile plant that has both male and female organs and is pollinated by bees.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No noted problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Fortune'
- 'Blue Fortune'
- 'Blue Fortune'
- Tags:

- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Fortune'
- 'Blue Fortune'
- 'Blue Fortune'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hyssopus
- Species:
- officinalis
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern and eastern Europe
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies and bees
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edibility:
- The leaves are used as a flavoring.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herb
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
-
-
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
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The fragrant shiny dark green leaves grow up to 1" in length.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Poor Soil