Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) is a wonderful native perennial to add to your pollinator garden, perfect for attracting hummingbirds, bees, wasps, butterflies, and other pollinating insects.
Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) provides nectar and pollen for bumble bees during the summer and early fall.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
When in bloom, anise hyssop is a hum of insect activity, and hummingbirds frequently visit it. The hyssop flowers in my landscape are filled with small bees and syrphid flies.
Green-headed sweat bees are frequent visitors to anise hyssop flowers.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Adult syrphid flies are beneficial insects that feed on the pollen and nectar of anise hyssop.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
As it is in the mint family, plant it in an area where you don’t mind it spreading. Anise hyssop tends to be a short-lived perennial and is not as aggressive as other mints. It will spread by rhizomes and seeds, but every few years, I have to replenish my plantings. You can always tell if a plant is in the mint family (Lamiaceae) by the square stem. The leaves are opposite of each other on the stem, and when crushed, they give off an anise or licorice fragrance, thus the common name.
Anise hyssop tends to be a short-lived perennial and is not as aggressive as other mints.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Anise hyssop has square stems and opposite leaves.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
It is best planted in full sun to part shade in well-drained, moist soil and is hardy in USDA planting zones 4 to 8. Anise hyssop will be susceptible to crown or root rot in soils that stay too wet. It will mature at 2 to 4 feet high and 1 to 3 feet wide. Anise hyssop is susceptible to powdery mildew and fungal leaf spots, so plant where you have good air circulation.
The unscented bloom spikes are made up of tiny lavender or purple two-lipped, cylindrical flowers, blooming from June to September. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage new bloom spikes.
The unscented bloom spikes are made up of tiny lavender or purple two-lipped, cylindrical flowers, blooming from June to September.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
By August or September, I stop deadheading the spent flowers so seeds can form to feed the birds. The dried seed heads provide a winter food source for small songbirds, especially goldfinches.
Goldfinches and other small songbirds feed on the anise hyssop seed during the winter months.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University
Do not cut back the dead plant stalks after a hard frost or freeze. Leave the stalks and seed heads during the winter. In the spring, when new foliage begins to emerge from the base of the plant, you can safely remove the dead stalks.
Small seedlings can easily be transplanted to a new area in the spring. They will wilt at first but will quickly recover in a day or two. I usually propagate new plants from cuttings that I take in late spring or early summer.
Anise hyssop is resistant to deer, another reason to add this interesting perennial to your pollinator, cottage, or cutting garden.
Anise hyssop adds important nectar and pollen sources to a pollinator garden planting.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
For more information on pollinator gardens, see HGIC 1727, Pollinator Gardening.
