Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Agastache foeniculum, commonly known as Anise Hyssop, is a native perennial herb found in prairies, meadows, and along roadsides throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained soils and prefers full sun to partial shade.
This plant is known for its aromatic foliage, which has a pleasant anise or licorice scent when crushed. It features tall spikes of tubular, lavender to purple flowers that bloom in mid to late summer, attracting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The seeds produced after flowering also provide food for birds. The plant has a clumping habit and can reach heights of 2 to 4 feet.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Agastache foeniculum is an excellent choice for pollinator gardens, prairie restorations, and naturalized landscapes. It offers not only beauty and fragrance but also valuable ecological benefits by supporting a wide range of beneficial insects.
Agastache foeniculum, commonly known as Anise Hyssop, is a native perennial herb found in prairies, meadows, and along roadsides throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained soils and prefers full sun to partial shade.
This plant is known for its aromatic foliage, which has a pleasant anise or licorice scent when crushed. It features tall spikes of tubular, lavender to purple flowers that bloom in mid to late summer, attracting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The seeds produced after flowering also provide food for birds. The plant has a clumping habit and can reach heights of 2 to 4 feet.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Agastache foeniculum is an excellent choice for pollinator gardens, prairie restorations, and naturalized landscapes. It offers not only beauty and fragrance but also valuable ecological benefits by supporting a wide range of beneficial insects.
Agastache foeniculum, commonly known as Anise Hyssop, is a native perennial herb found in prairies, meadows, and along roadsides throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained soils and prefers full sun to partial shade.
This plant is known for its aromatic foliage, which has a pleasant anise or licorice scent when crushed. It features tall spikes of tubular, lavender to purple flowers that bloom in mid to late summer, attracting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The seeds produced after flowering also provide food for birds. The plant has a clumping habit and can reach heights of 2 to 4 feet.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Agastache foeniculum is an excellent choice for pollinator gardens, prairie restorations, and naturalized landscapes. It offers not only beauty and fragrance but also valuable ecological benefits by supporting a wide range of beneficial insects.
Bloom time: mid- to late summer
Habitats: openings in dry upland forests; scrubby barrens; thickets; upland areas of prairies
Lifespan: perennial
Moisture: mesic to dry
Plant Type (height): forb (2 to 3.5 feet)
Requirements: full sun to partial sun
Soil: clay-loam; loam; some rocky material