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Agastache foeniculum (Anise Hyssop)

Blue Giant Hyssop, Blue Giant-hyssop, Fragrant Giant Hyssop, Lavender Hyssop, Anise Hyssop

Agastache foeniculum, Blue Giant Hyssop, Blue Giant-hyssop, Fragrant Giant Hyssop, Lavender Hyssop, Anise Hyssop

Agastache foeniculum (Anise Hyssop) is an upright, clump-forming perennial with attractive spikes of small, tubular, lavender to purple flowers from early summer to early fall. Adding lovely vertical lines to the landscape, they are attractive to bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and beneficial insects. They are borne atop square stems clothed with oval, toothed, dull green leaves, 4 in. long (10 cm). The foliage is aromatic and exudes a pleasant scent of anise when bruised. The leaves may be used to make herbal teas or jellies. Its long flowering season, showy flower spikes, licorice-scented foliage, and deer resistance explain the great popularity of Anise Hyssop among gardeners. It is best in informal landscapes, herb gardens, butterfly gardens, or meadows. The flower spikes are lovely additions to fresh-cut or dried arrangements.

  • Grows up to 24-36 in. tall (60-90 cm) and 18-36 in. wide (45-90 cm). Will spread by rhizomes and self-seeding in the garden.
  • Best grown in full sun to part shade, in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates almost any soil, including dry soil. Drought tolerant once established.
  • Provides a bold and striking impact in beds and borders, cottage gardens, butterfly gardens or in prairie plantings. Ideal for naturalistic planting schemes. Great as cut flowers too!
  • Generally disease and pest-free (might occasionally be subject to powdery mildew) and resistant to deer.
  • Deadhead spent flowers to promote additional bloom.
  • Propagate by seed or by division.
  • Native to northern North America.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Agastache
Common names Hummingbird Mint, Hyssop, Anise Hyssop
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 3'
(30cm - 90cm)
Spacing 18" - 36"
(50cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Midwest, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, Northeast, Rocky Mountains, North Dakota, Illinois, South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Washington, Kentucky, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Agastache cana (Texas Hummingbird Mint)
Agastache ‘Raspberry Summer’ (Hummingbird Mint)
Agastache ‘Summer Fiesta’ (Hummingbird Mint)
Agastache ‘Summer Glow’ (Hummingbird Mint)
Agastache ‘Kudos Red’ (Hummingbird Mint)
Agastache POQUITO Butter Yellow (Dwarf Hummingbird Mint)

Recommended Companion Plants

Callirhoe involucrata (Purple Poppy Mallow)
Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)
Solidago nemoralis (Gray Goldenrod)
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)
Ratibida pinnata (Yellow Coneflower)
Rudbeckia fulgida (Black-Eyed Susan)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

How to Create an Enchanting Butterfly Garden
For the Love of Butterflies: Best Flowers to Attract them to Your Garden
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How to Cultivate a Thriving Bee-Friendly Garden
Hummingbird
Wonderful Plants That Repel Insects
Agastache (Hyssop)
Best Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Agastache
Common names Hummingbird Mint, Hyssop, Anise Hyssop
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 3'
(30cm - 90cm)
Spacing 18" - 36"
(50cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Midwest, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, Northeast, Rocky Mountains, North Dakota, Illinois, South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Washington, Kentucky, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Agastache (Hyssop)
Guides with
Agastache (Hyssop)
Not sure which Agastache (Hyssop) to pick?
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