Anise Hyssop

Agastache foeniculum

A tough, upright perennial with spikes of lavender-purple flowers from early summer into fall. The leaves have a light anise scent, and the plant is a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Use in the Landscape
Great for borders, cottage gardens, pollinator plantings, or naturalized areas. Its upright form and long bloom time make it a reliable mid-border plant that doesn't need much fuss.

Use as a Cut Flower
The flower spikes hold up well fresh or dried, giving arrangements real staying power. For best vase life, cut when the florets have just started to open rather than waiting for full bloom — they'll keep opening after the cut. Harvest in the cool of morning or evening, strip any foliage that would sit below the water line, and get stems into water fast.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Dry to medium moisture, well-drained; leaner soil is fine and even preferred over rich soil
• Irrigation: Low once established; drought tolerant
• Spacing (for cut-flower rows): 20–24"
• Height: 2–4 feet
• Spread: 1.5–3 feet
• Bloom Time: June to September
• Fragrance: Anise-scented foliage
• Edible: Yes — leaves used for tea, jelly, or fresh in small amounts; seeds edible

Ongoing Care
Water regularly while establishing, then only during extended dry spells — soggy soil is the main thing to avoid, since it invites root and crown rot. A single pinch early on encourages bushier growth and more flowering stems. Deadhead (or harvest) spent spikes to keep new blooms coming. Watch for rust, powdery mildew, or aphids during hot, humid stretches. Plants self-seed readily, so cut back spent flower heads if you don't want volunteers next season.

Fun Facts
Despite the name, it's not closely related to true hyssop or to anise — it's actually in the mint family, which you can tell from its square stems. The genus name comes from Greek words meaning "very much" and "spike," a nod to its dense flower heads. Native to prairies across the Midwest and into Canada, it was also used by Native Americans as a medicinal plant for coughs and fevers.