![]() ![]() The best time to harvest foliage to dry is when the flowers are just past full bloom, as the oil content in the leaves is the highest at that time, but they can be used at any time.īy midsummer erect terminal cylindrical flower spikes begin to form and continue blooming through fall. The plant was used medicinally by Native Americans. The dried leaves can be used in potpourri. The aromatic leaves have a licorice-like (anise) scent and are used in herbal teas, to flavor jellies or eaten fresh in small quantities, such as in a salad with other greens. The medium green, opposite leaves on square stems have toothed margins. The foliage remains nice looking throughout the season and sometimes has a purplish cast on the new growth. The ovate to broad-lanceolate, dull green leaves up to four inches long have toothed margins and a whitish tint to the underside. They have opposite leaves on the square stems (characteristic of the mint plant family). The upright, clump-forming plants generally grow 2-4 feet tall and about 1-3 feet wide from a small tap root with spreading rhizomes. The new growth often has a purplish cast. Despite the common name, it is not closely related to hyssop ( Hyssopus spp.), a European plant traditionally used as a healing herb, or anise, Pimpinella anisum, a completely different plant in the carrot family (Apiaceae). Other common names include blue giant hyssop, fragrant giant hyssop and lavender giant hyssop. Native to prairies, dry upland forested areas, plains and fields in the upper Midwest and Great Plains into Canada (from northern Colorado to Wisconsin and in Canada from Ontario west to British Columbia), this plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae) is hardy in zones 3 to 8. Species anise hyssop and golden cultivar.Īnise hyssop, Agastache foeniculum, is a short-lived herbaceous perennial with blue flowers and fragrant foliage that can be used as an ornamental or in the herb garden.
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