November Flower of the Month
Anise Hyssop-Agastache foeniculum
"Blooming Anise Hyssop attracts Bees and Butterflies"
Blooms: Blue flowers from June to September
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Well-drained
Size: 24 to 48 inches tall, 18 to 36 inches wide
Hardiness: Cold zones 4 to 9, heat zones 9 to 1
Water: Dry to medium
Family: Lamiacae [Mint]
Native range: North America
Anise hyssop's long-blooming blue flower spikes bring in Hummingbirds as well as butterflies and bees from summer to fall. In the fall when flowers start to dry, finches love the clusters of tiny seeds. The seeds hang on well into winter to provide energy when other food sources may be depleted. Anise hyssop is drought tolerant and deer resistant. It's foliage has a pleasant black licorice fragrance. Plants will spread by rhizomes and will readily self seed in optimum growing conditions.
The flowers turn brown as they fade- plants look better when deadheaded by snipping the spent stem back as close to the main stem as possible. This also encourages re-bloom. Anise hyssop has no serious insect or disease problems. Crown/root rot may develop in poorly drained soil. Watch for rust, powdery mildew, and leaf spots. This flower can be used in borders, wildflower gardens, herb gardens, butterfly gardens or meadows. The flower spikes are attractive additions to
fresh cut or dried arrangements.
Source Ultimate Blooms "Butterflies and Blooms" and Country Gardens Magazine.
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Well-drained
Size: 24 to 48 inches tall, 18 to 36 inches wide
Hardiness: Cold zones 4 to 9, heat zones 9 to 1
Water: Dry to medium
Family: Lamiacae [Mint]
Native range: North America
Anise hyssop's long-blooming blue flower spikes bring in Hummingbirds as well as butterflies and bees from summer to fall. In the fall when flowers start to dry, finches love the clusters of tiny seeds. The seeds hang on well into winter to provide energy when other food sources may be depleted. Anise hyssop is drought tolerant and deer resistant. It's foliage has a pleasant black licorice fragrance. Plants will spread by rhizomes and will readily self seed in optimum growing conditions.
The flowers turn brown as they fade- plants look better when deadheaded by snipping the spent stem back as close to the main stem as possible. This also encourages re-bloom. Anise hyssop has no serious insect or disease problems. Crown/root rot may develop in poorly drained soil. Watch for rust, powdery mildew, and leaf spots. This flower can be used in borders, wildflower gardens, herb gardens, butterfly gardens or meadows. The flower spikes are attractive additions to
fresh cut or dried arrangements.
Source Ultimate Blooms "Butterflies and Blooms" and Country Gardens Magazine.
