Many of our most beloved herbs come from the mint family: basil, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme, and of course mint. A lesser known member is anise hyssop.
Anise hyssop 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 buzz with pollinators (like so many of the awesome mint family plants).
It has a relatively shallow root system, so it pairs well with plants that root deeper.
Anise hyssop is a wonderful addition to the garden with many layers of value.
Growth Parameters:
Expect stems that grow to 3 to 4 feet tall each year.
Leave seedheads to deposit seeds, thickening and spreading a patch each season, or cut seed heads to maintain plants in place. Doesn’t spread aggressively by rhizomes like other Mentha species (spearmint, peppermint etc).
