Perhaps the showiest of our native mints, anise hyssop is regarded medicinally as a soothing expectorant, relieving congestion and suppressing coughs. Its fresh leaves can be made into tea, cough syrups, or homemade cough drops!
But WE love using this fragrant, native, perennial herb in our floral designs! From June to September, the fuzzy blossoms deliver accents of lavender in our softer-toned arrangements, and the foliage imparts a wonderful licorice-fragrance whether blossoms are present or not. In fact some people refer to this plant as licorice mint.
But again, it's so much more than a cut flower. It's a super powerful plant to include in your garden to support pollinators. The vibrant, tubular flowers will be visited by hummingbirds, monarchs, swallowtails, honeybees, and bumblebees. (And fun fact: when birds serve as pollinators the process of them covering their faces in pollen before burying that face deep in the next plant to transfer the pollen is called ornithophily.) It's adorable to see the bees all asleep in the hyssop, their bellies full and mandibles locked on a petal while in slumber. Then as the season turns, the finches, juncos, and sparrows move in and eat the developed seed. This plant really has so much to offer!
Easy to grow from seed, anise hyssop is a tender perennial in Zones 5 through 9.
BASIC FEATURES
Bloom Season: June through September
Days to Flowering: 75 - 80 days initially, then perennial for Zone 5 - 9
Photoperiod Classification: Long-Day (For optimal blooming, anise hyssop needs between 6 and 8 hours of daylight per day.)
Pinch: Yes, pinch in early spring to promote a bushier habit.
Deadhead: Yes, to encourage rebloom and postpone seed development
Staking: Not necessary
Height at Maturity: 24 - 36"
Recommended Spacing: 6 - 12"
STARTING SEEDS INDOORS
When to Sow: March - April
When to Harden Off: About 4 weeks after germination
When to Transplant to Garden: About 5 to 6 weeks after germination
STARTING SEEDS OUTDOORS
When to Direct Sow Seeds in the Garden: Mid-May to October, when the soil temperature in our area is 60 to 75 deg F
FOR FLOWER ARRANGING
For maximum vase life: Only pick stems in the morning. Cut those stems at a 45-degree angle for maximum water uptake, and place them directly into fresh, lukewarm water with flower food, in a cool, draft-free area, out of direct sunlight. Trim away any wilted or browning leaves that develop, which can draw away moisture from the blossoms.
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS TO YOUR GARDEN
Attracts and Supports: hummingbirds, butterflies, honeybees, bumblebees, and parasitic wasps
Ignored by: Deer
Not always ignored by: Rabbits (If rabbits are a problem in your garden, consider pairing anise hyssop with chives, which repel rabbits and offers you additional culinary options too!)