This striking herb with its tall spikes of purple flowers loved by butterflies and its sweet aniseed flavoured leaves is a must have for the garden – a native of North America it is both a culinary and medicinal herb. 9x9cm pot (8cm depth)
Description
- Hardy perennial
- Loved by butterflies
- Culinary herb
- Aromatic
Anise hyssop is part of the mint family and was planted by American bee keepers in the 1870’s to produce a fragrant honey. It is the sweet leaves that make this a great culinary herb for the garden and the edible flowers that attract bees and butterflies make this a great herb to grow near vegetable beds where pollinators are needed.
Plant Care
- Height: 60 – 100cm
- Type: Hardy
- Aspect: Sun
- Soil: Well drained/alkaline
- Flower colour: Purple
- Flowering period: July - September
This beautiful perenial prefers to grow in full sun with its feet in a well drained soil. It dies down each autumn and when the leaves sprout again in spring, needs to be checked for slugs whom find the sweet leaves as delicious as we do. It grows very well in containers and would benefit from regualr feeding.
Usage
Native to the prairies of America this is a traditional medicine of the Native Americans. It was burnt by tribes as an antidepressant and used as an expectorant cough remedy and to cool fevers. Both the dried and fresh leaves make a pleasant anise tasting tea and along with the flowers can be used in salads, drinks, sweet dishes and pasta.