Blue Giant HYSSOP, Anise HyssopBotanical Name: Agastache foeniculum
Plant Family: Mint (Lamiacea) Description: A 1-2' ft. perennial with dense, terminal spikes of small, tubular, bright blue flowers. A member of the mint family, the leaves give off the scent of anise, licorice, or mint when bruised. The sturdy, erect blue giant-hyssop is one of the most ornamental native mints. Sometimes referred to as anise hyssop, it is not related to herb Hyssop officinalis. Several cultivars are represented in the habitat including 'Golden Jubilee' (chartreuse leaves with pink to purple flower spikes) 'Blue Fortune' (dark green leaves with blue flower spikes) and 'Black Adder' (dark purple flower spikes that are less dense in appearance) Growing Conditions: From full sun to full shade. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. Re-seeds prolifically but is easy to control by removing flower spikes after they have bloomed. Bloom Time: Late, End of Jul - Aug Bloom Color: Blue to deep purple Benefit to pollinators/wildlife: Highly attractive to native bees, bumble bees, and honey bees. Nectar source for bees and butterflies. Native Status: US native with wide distribution, though not native to PA Location in habitat: Pollinator Demonstration Garden, Serenity Space Bee Monitoring Study (all cultivars mentioned are represented here), Native Bee Conservation Garden |