Common Name: Anise Hyssop
Type: Herbaceous annual
Family: Lamiaceae
Native Range: Native to parts of the upper Midwest, Great Plains and parts of Canada (Wisconsin to Ontario west to British Columbia and South to Colorado)
Zone: 4 - 9
Height: 2 to 4 feet tall
Spread: Progressively larger clumps season to season (1-3 feet)
Bloom Time: June to September
Bloom color: Lavender to purple
Sun: Full sun
Water: Well drained soil (can tolerate some drought)
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy terminal spikes
Attracts: Honey bee, bumble bee, native bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, skippers, moths
Anise hyssop is a member of the mint family. It is very aromatic and has the taste of licorice. Members of the mint family contain the chemical methyl eugenol in their pollen and nectar that supports bees because it is nutritious and has antibacterial/antifungal properties. One spike on Anise can have up to 90,000 flowers making it very attractive to pollinators. Anise hyssop is a good example of mutualistic dependence found in nature; it provides for the pollinators and also relies on pollinators for fertilization of its flowers in order to produce seed at the end of the season. It provides for honeybees, bumble bees, digger Bees, leaf cutter bees, and masked bees. It is also especially attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies and will make your garden bountiful with nature.
Anise hyssop is very easy to grow from seed sown directly in the ground in spring. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and can tolerate some drought. It is very vigorous and can be transplanted and the clumps can be divided and move elsewhere in your garden, or better yet share it with a friend or neighbor to make their bees happy too! One planting can provide years and years of enjoyment of you and the bees. Seeds can be purchases at most any garden store and for organic seeds we recommend Prairie Moon or Johnny’s Seed.
Horticulture information from:
Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d554
Pollinator Information from:
Iowa State University Entomology Bug Guide
http://bugguide.net/node/view/805804
Type: Herbaceous annual
Family: Lamiaceae
Native Range: Native to parts of the upper Midwest, Great Plains and parts of Canada (Wisconsin to Ontario west to British Columbia and South to Colorado)
Zone: 4 - 9
Height: 2 to 4 feet tall
Spread: Progressively larger clumps season to season (1-3 feet)
Bloom Time: June to September
Bloom color: Lavender to purple
Sun: Full sun
Water: Well drained soil (can tolerate some drought)
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy terminal spikes
Attracts: Honey bee, bumble bee, native bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, skippers, moths
Anise hyssop is a member of the mint family. It is very aromatic and has the taste of licorice. Members of the mint family contain the chemical methyl eugenol in their pollen and nectar that supports bees because it is nutritious and has antibacterial/antifungal properties. One spike on Anise can have up to 90,000 flowers making it very attractive to pollinators. Anise hyssop is a good example of mutualistic dependence found in nature; it provides for the pollinators and also relies on pollinators for fertilization of its flowers in order to produce seed at the end of the season. It provides for honeybees, bumble bees, digger Bees, leaf cutter bees, and masked bees. It is also especially attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies and will make your garden bountiful with nature.
Anise hyssop is very easy to grow from seed sown directly in the ground in spring. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and can tolerate some drought. It is very vigorous and can be transplanted and the clumps can be divided and move elsewhere in your garden, or better yet share it with a friend or neighbor to make their bees happy too! One planting can provide years and years of enjoyment of you and the bees. Seeds can be purchases at most any garden store and for organic seeds we recommend Prairie Moon or Johnny’s Seed.
Horticulture information from:
Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d554
Pollinator Information from:
Iowa State University Entomology Bug Guide
http://bugguide.net/node/view/805804