Anise Hyssop

Agastache foeniculum

COMMON NAMES

• Anise Hyssop
• Blue Giant Hyssop
• Elk Mint
• Fragrant Giant Hyssop
• Lavender Giant Hyssop
• Licorice Mint

Anise hyssop, a stiffly erect perennial that grows from 0.6 to 1.5 m (2 to 5 feet) tall, is native to North America. Because it is as lovely as it is aromatic, this herb is also often grown in flower gardens, where it makes a very attractive background plant.
Pointed, bright green leaves have serrated edges, and are covered with soft, white, felt-like hairs underneath. In the spring, new foliage often has a pretty purplish cast. Aroma and flavor are an intriguing mix of anise and mint.
Anise hyssop has branched, mostly hairless stems. The spreading rootstock bears fibrous roots.
Produces longish flower spikes made up of many beautiful little lilac-blue blossoms from July to September. A white flowered cultivar is also available. Flowers have a lighter flavour than the leaves.
Anise hyssop is very attractive to honey-bees, and is widely cultivated as a honey plant. It is also a source of nectar for butterflies, while its seeds attract wild birds, especially finches.
Both flowers and leaves may be eaten.

USES

In traditional herbal medicine, anise hyssop tea was used to aid digestion.

Culinary uses

Add fresh leaves and flowers to salads and fruit salads, and use as a garnish.
Use fresh or dried leaves to complement lamb, chicken, salmon, and to enliven vegetables such as peas. Substitute anise hyssop leaves in recipes calling for anise or mint.
Use flowers in baking, especially in tea breads.
Add fresh young leaves to cool summer drinks.
To make a refreshing cup of anise hyssop tea, add 5 ml (1 teaspoon) of dried leaves and flowers or 15 ml (3 teaspoons) of fresh leaves and flowers to 250 ml (1 cup) of boiling water. Cover and steep for 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey to taste.
Light-colored anise hyssop honey is quite delicious.
Anise hyssop essential oil is used commercially to flavour root beer and various liqueurs.

Craft uses

Include lovely anise hyssop blooms in fresh or dried floral arrangements.
Add fragrant dried flowers to potpourris and sachets.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Anise hyssop grows best in well-drained, fertile soils containing compost or well-rotted manure. In its natural habitat, it thrives in soils that retain moisture, but are not excessively wet.
Prefers full sunlight, but will tolerate light shade. Plants must be kept moist during dry weather, otherwise they will stop flowering in late summer.
Does best in cool weather.
Sow seeds indoors in the early spring. Seeds are quite small and can successfully germinate under a light covering of soil, so they should be planted to a depth of no more than 6 mm (1/4 inch). Seeds usually germinate in 4 to 10 days. Plant seedlings outdoors when all danger of frost is past.
Space plants 30 cm (12 inches) apart.
Seeds can also be planted outside in late fall and allowed to lie dormant through the winter, to germinate in the early spring.
Alternatively, you can establish new plantings in the spring from divisions of established plants. Root cuttings from soft or semi-ripe stems.
Anise hyssop grows very slowly initially, and often takes 2 years from seed to bloom.
Pinch back plants in early summer to encourage branching.
Generally pest- and disease-free.

COLLECTION AND HARVESTING

Harvest leaves for fresh or dried use throughout the growing season. Collect leaves on sunny, dry days, preferably in the morning. Cut off leaves for fresh use as needed, starting at the bottom of the plant.
To dry anise hyssop, cut whole stems about 10 cm (4 inches) from the base of the plant. Hang stems upside down in a shady location to air-dry. Strip dried leaves and store in an airtight container.
Pick fresh leaves and flowers for tea throughout the growing season.
If drying for tea, cut the stems 15 cm (6 inches) from the base of the plant. Include flowers with the stems. Hang upside down to air-dry. Store dried material in an airtight container.

COMMENTS

From Cassandra - Jan-10-2011

Anise hyssop is also known to help with respiratory ailments. I have also used it personally dried and rolled in homegrown tobacco as it has a pleasant, refreshing flavour.

From Tom Kueny - 2010

Anise hyssop is a wonderful herb with blooms which draw bees and humming birds by the dozens. Contrary to what the article suggests, in east central Iowa in the Midwestern US, anise hyssop will bloom easily in the first season when grown from seed. It over winters easily and comes back for several years. It's highly recommended.

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