Agastache foeniculum - Anise hyssop

Morphology/Growth Habits: Attractive and resilient perennial with tall whorls of lavender flowers in the summer. Has an erect growth habit and is clump-forming. Leaves have a delicious, liquorice-like smell and a silver underside that shimmers beautifully in the wind. From mid-summer to frost, plants have spires of purple flowers that attract many kinds of pollinators. Establishes quickly and self-seeds, overwinters well, and divides well for propagation. 

Height: 3-6 ft

Sun: Full sun - Part shade

Water: Medium to dry

Bloom color: Purple

Bloom time: July, August, September

Habitat/Best Environments: Occurs in prairies and woody thickets. This plant does best in full/partial sun, with moderate to dry soil moisture. Once established it is very tough and drought resistant. 

Ecological relationships: Anise hyssops are among the most bee-attracting plants in North America. They are native to New York State as well as the mid West. Attracts all kinds of bees, butterflies, and birds! Resistant to deer & rabbits.

Tea* made from leaves is used to treat colds and indigestion. Poultice made from crushed leaves can be applied to wounds. Leaves can also be added to salads, seeds can be used to give aromatic flavor in baking. 

*Please soil test and do proper research before growing a plant for human consumption

"Historically, mass plantings of one species, anise hyssop, were established in parts of the Midwest and Canada specifically as a honey plant. Nineteenth-century beekeeper accounts claimed that a single acre could provide ample forage for 100 colonies of bees, and that bees preferred giant hyssop even to sweetclover." - 100 Plants to Feed the Bees