Hyssopus officinalis

Hyssop is a short-lived, semi-evergreen, herbaceous perennial or subshrub in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to Europe, Asia and Africa, however, it has naturalized in some areas of the USA. The species epithet is Latin, meaning "of the offices," and indicates that the plant was used in medicine and sold as an herb. 

This cold-hardy plant grows 1 to 2 feet tall and 1 foot to 18 inches wide. 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, including dry sandy conditions. Trimming in the spring is best and will help maintain a bushy, well-shaped plant that resists breakage. Plants naturalize easily in the landscape and can be propagated via seed, stem cutting or division in the spring. Well-established plants are drought-tolerant as well as resistant to browsing by deer.

Purple to blue fragrant flowers appear all summer and are attractive to butterflies. The flowers, leaves and oils from this plant are used as culinary flavoring. The foliage is used as a flavoring in stews, soups and sauces. Oils are used in Chartreuse liquor production.  

It can be grown as a low hedge or planted along a slope to help with erosion management. Hyssop works well in containers, mass planted along an edge, or used in small groups in a cottage garden. Plant in an herb garden, along the front of a border or tucked between boulders in a rock garden.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems, however, nematodes can be an issue.