Culture: Easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best in full sun. Performs well in moist soils, but good soil drainage is essential. Plants tolerate dry soils, particularly once established. Deadhead spent flowers to promote additional bloom. Plants will spread by rhizomes and will easily self seed in optimum growing conditions.
Noteworthy Characteristics: Agastache foeniculum, commonly known as anise hyssop, is an upright, clump-forming perennial of the mint family that is native to parts of the upper Midwest and Great Plains (Wisconsin to Ontario west to British Columbia and south to Colorado). It is typically found in prairies, dry upland forested areas, plains and fields. It grows to 2-4′ tall. It is noted for its mid- to late summer bloom of lavender to purple flowers in terminal spikes and its anise-scented foliage. Square stems are clad with ovate to broad-lanceolate dull green leaves (to 4″ long) with toothed margins. Flowers appear in many-flowered verticillasters (false whorls) which are densely packed into showy, cylindrical, terminal flower spikes (3-6″ long). Gaps sometimes appear along the flower spike. Individual, tiny, tubular, two-lipped flowers (each to 1/3″ long) have no fragrance. Flowers are attractive to bees (good nectar plant), hummingbirds and butterflies. Aromatic leaves can be used to make herbal teas or jellies. Seeds can be added to cookies or muffins. Dried leaves can be added to potpourris.
Genus name comes from the Greek words agan meaning very much and stachys meaning an ear of wheat in reference to the flower spikes. Specific epithet comes from a Latin meaning hay.
Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Crown/root rot may develop in poorly drained soils. Watch for rust, powdery mildew and leaf spots.
Garden Uses: Borders, wildflower gardens, herb gardens, butterfly gardens or meadows. Flower spikes are attractive additions to fresh cut or dried arrangements.
All plant information courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden
Anise Hyssop has flower spikes that burst with a myriad of tiny blooms that span the purple spectrum: from soft lavender to rich violet. The blossoms pop open in intervals, providing a long nectar season for bumblebees, hummingbirds, and butterflies; this plant is abuzz with pollinators all summer long! Sturdy and upright, the square stem supports fragrant foliage, which smells like anise or licorice. The undersides of the leaves are white or light gray and flash and wink whenever the wind blows. Makes a fantastic addition in sensory gardens. This plant is easy to grow and often blooms in its first year. It self-sows readily; the new seedlings are quite hardy and can be transplanted easily. Once established, Anise Hyssop is drought tolerant. It is also deer resistant; most mammals dislike the strong scent of the leaves.
Other common names in use: Lavender Hyssop or Blue Giant Hyssop.
Indoors anytime
Outdoors Seed: Spring or autumn.
Bulb: Autumn. Bulbs grown from seed flower in 2-4 years.
Depth Seed: Surface. Bulb: cover w/ twice diameter of soil.
Difficult. Place seed in plastic bag together with moist growing medium and refrigerate for 30 days. Provide light and 55-65 degrees F. Grow in flats for 1 year, then pot up singly and sink pots in the ground outdoors in Spring. PM Germination Code C(60) see Appendix
Divide spring-flowering bulbs in late summer, summer-flower bulbs in spring; or grow from seed. Many species self seed and become invasive.
Price range: $6.00 through $12.00
