Anise Hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 24–36 in tall and 18–24 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Licorice-scented foliage; lavender spikes draw hummingbirds + bees all summer.
On the CSU listlow to medium water24–36 in tall and 18–24 in wideXeric / water-wiseZones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: "Agastache foeniculum" by .Annna is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 2: no rights reserved
- Photo 3: (c) Liren Varghese, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 4: Guettarda, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 5: Meneerke bloem
- Photo 6: "Agastache foeniculum 3, Anise Hyssop, GFG, Howard County, Md_2019-03-22-19.47.27 ZS PMax UDR" by Sam Droege is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/.
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–10
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 24–36 in tall and 18–24 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~17–24 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid summer, late summer
- Bloom color
- purple
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Planting & establishment
Deep-water first season to establish, then minimal water needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Anise Hyssop good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Anise Hyssop is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Anise Hyssop get?
- It matures to about 24–36 in tall and 18–24 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Anise Hyssop?
- Space Anise Hyssop about 17 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 24 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Anise Hyssop hardy on the Front Range?
- Anise Hyssop is hardy in USDA 4–10. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Anise Hyssop need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Anise Hyssop native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Anise Hyssop deer-resistant?
- Anise Hyssop is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Anise Hyssop a good firewise plant near the house?
- Anise Hyssop is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does Anise Hyssop bloom?
- Anise Hyssop blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
