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Agastache foeniculum

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ah-GAH-sta-kee fin-ICK-yoo-lum
Description

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:
  • 'Blue Blazes'
  • ‘Blue Fortune’
  • 'Golden Jubilee'
'Blue Blazes', ‘Blue Fortune’ , 'Golden Jubilee'
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#salmon#violet#pink flowers#fragrant leaves#blue flowers#salmon flowers#disease resistant#pest resistant#violet flowers#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#vhfn#vhfn-h#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Blue Blazes'
  • ‘Blue Fortune’
  • 'Golden Jubilee'
'Blue Blazes', ‘Blue Fortune’ , 'Golden Jubilee'
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#salmon#violet#pink flowers#fragrant leaves#blue flowers#salmon flowers#disease resistant#pest resistant#violet flowers#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#vhfn#vhfn-h#wildlife friendly
  • 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
    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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Seeds can be used in cookies cakes and muffins.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    Yes
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Square green stems
  • 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