Hyssop (Giant Hyssop, Hummingbird Mint)
Agastache species and hybrids. LAMIACEAE (LABIATAE).
Planting and Growing Hyssop
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow hyssop in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of hyssop
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for hyssop
- Season of bloom and planting time for hyssop
- When, how deep, and where to plant hyssop
- How to plant hyssop
- Watering, fertilizing, care and pests or diseases of hyssop
- Landscape and container uses of hyssop
- Comments about hyssop and its features
Growing Hyssop
About 30 species of branching, mounding, upright perennial herbs, 2–4 ft. (60–120 cm) tall. Opposite, light green, oval, pointed, finely toothed, veined, fragrant leaves, to 3 in. (75 mm) long.
Commonly cultivated species include Agastache barberi and anise hyssop, Agastache foeniculum.
Most popular cultivars are hybrids, selected for bloom color, habit, or size.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Many blue, orange, pink, red, mintlike, edible flowers, to 1/4–in. (6–mm) wide, form conical spikes, to 6 in. (15 cm) tall, in summer.
Best Climates
Hardy or semi-hardy. Zones 3–11.
Soil Type and Fertility
Damp, well-drained, sandy soil. Fertility: Rich–average. 6.5–7.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring in full to filtered sun, 1 ft. (30 cm) apart, after soil warms.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep moist; allow soil surface to dry between waterings. Fertilize annually in spring. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong bloom. Propagate by division, seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for backgrounds, borders, edgings, fencelines in arid, country, natural, rock, wildlife gardens. Attracts bees, hummingbirds. Pest and disease resistant.