Many of our most beloved herbs, like basil, oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme come from the mint family. A lesser known member is anise hyssop. It can be brewed into teas, or whole leaves can be used in salads. The flavor is described as “minty and quite sweet, with a touch of anise” (Damrosch and Coleman).
Produces beautifully fragrant purple blossoms around August, and the flowers are buzzing with pollinators (like so many of the awesome mint family plants).
Anise hyssop is a wonderful addition to the garden with many layers of value.
Growth Parameters:
Expect 3 to 4 feet tall each year. Leave seedheads to deposit seeds and thicken and spread a patch each season, or cut seed heads to maintain in place. Doesn’t spread aggressively by rhizomes like other mints.
