Blue Giant Hyssop

Agastache foeniculum, also known as anise hyssop is neither a true hyssop (which has origins in Europe) nor is it a true anise plant. The leaves, however, smell like anise or licorice when crushed, hence the name of the this fragrant, native beauty in the Mint family. Leaves can be used to make a flavorful tea, and the flowers are edible as well. The underside of the leaves is lighter — somewhat grayish — and finely hairy. This leaf variation distinguishes blue giant hyssop from its cousin, purple giant hyssop whose leaf undersides do not show this lighter color tone but present simply as green.

Blue Giant Hyssop is a wonderful plant for attracting all kinds of pollinators including bumblebees, beetles, butterflies and hummingbirds. Look for this plant to bloom anytime June through October. I found this particular blue giant growing along the heavily wooded roadside drive in the part sun/part shade habitat this species prefers.