Anise Hyssop, Anise mint
Agastache foeniculum

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A perennial plant up to 90 cm tall and spreading to 40 cm wide. The leaves are 7.5 cm long and have coarse teeth along the edge. They are greyish green. The leaves are downy on the underside. They have a pleasant smell. They smell of anise. The stems are erect. The flowers are tiny and violet-blue. They have 2 lobes. They occur in dense spikes.

There are about 20-30 Agastache species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows naturally in waste ground on prairies and plains in Western North America from Ontario to Washington and south to Colorado. It does best in sunny positions and well drained soil. It can stand light frosts. In Hobart Botanical gardens. It suits plant hardiness zone 6-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, Finland, Moldavia, North America, Scandinavia, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The leaves and flowers are eaten raw or cooked. They have an aniseed flavour and are good in salads. They are also used in cakes and sweets. A pleasant tasting tea can be made from the leaves.

Edible parts

Leaves, herb, leaves - tea, flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. They should just be covered with soil and germinate in 1-3 months at 13°C. They should be grown in the nursery for the first year. Plants can also be grown by dividing clumps and can be grown from basal cuttings. These root in 3 weeks.

Its other names

Local names

Blue Giant Hyssop, Blue Giant-hyssop, Lavender Hyssop, Licorice Mint, Wonder Honey Plant

Synonyms

Agastache anethiodora (Nutt.) Britt.; Agastache anethiodorum (Nutt.) Britton.; Agastache anisata hort.; Hyssopus anethiodorus Nutt.; Stachys foeniculum Pursh;