Family: Lamiaceae
Author: (Pursh) Kuntze
Bibliography: Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 511 (1891)
Year: 1891
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Agastache
Vegetable: False
Observations: Canada to NW. & NC. U.S.A.
Description
Blue giant-hyssop, scientifically known as Agastache foeniculum, is a captivating herbaceous perennial that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Originally described by Friedrich Kuntze in 1891 in “Revisio Generum Plantarum Vol. 2,” this plant has continued to garner attention for its ornamental and herbal qualities.
Native to regions spanning from Canada to the Northwestern and Northcentral United States, the Blue giant-hyssop is well-suited to cooler climates. This hardy plant often thrives in a variety of soil types, although it prefers well-drained soils. It is known for its erect, aromatic stems that can reach heights of up to 1 to 1.5 meters, adorned with dense spikes of blue to purple flowers, which typically bloom from mid-summer to early fall.
One of the most remarkable attributes of Blue giant-hyssop is its fragrant foliage, which emits a pleasing anise-like scent. This characteristic makes it a popular choice for sensory gardens and adds a delightful aroma to herbal teas and culinary dishes when its leaves are used as a flavoring agent. The vibrantly colored flowers are also a magnet for pollinators, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, thereby supporting local biodiversity.
Blue giant-hyssop is more than just an ornamental plant; it has long been valued in traditional medicine. Indigenous peoples and early settlers utilized its properties to treat a variety of ailments, such as coughs, colds, and fevers. Modern herbalists continue to explore its therapeutic potential, with research supporting its mild antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Caring for Blue giant-hyssop is relatively straightforward. The plant requires full sun to partial shade and moderate watering, making it a low-maintenance addition to gardens. It is also drought-tolerant once established, which contributes to its resilience in various growing conditions.
In summary, Blue giant-hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) is a versatile and enchanting plant that offers numerous benefits, from its aromatic and culinary uses to its role in promoting pollinator health and ecological well-being. Whether grown for its beauty, fragrance, or medicinal properties, it remains a cherished plant across its native range and beyond.
Common Names
Deu: anis-ysop, duftnessel
Eng: anise-hyssop, anise-mint, blue giant hyssop, blue giant-hyssop, licorice-mint, anise hyssop, anise mint, fennel, fennel giant hyssop, fragrant giant hyssop, giant hyssop, lavender giant hyssop, licorice mint
Swe: anisisop
Fra: hysope anisée, agastache fenouil
Nld: dropnetel, anijsnetel, anijsplant, dropplant
En: Blue giant-hyssop, Licorice-mint, Anise-hyssop, Anise-mint, Blue giant hyssop, Anise hyssop, Mo’éhemóxêšéne, Anise mint, Fennel, Fennel giant hyssop, Fragrant giant hyssop, Giant hyssop, Lavender giant hyssop, Licorice mint
Ar: أغستاش شمري
Zh: 茴藿香
Da: Indianermynte
Nl: Dropnetel, Anijsnetel, Anijsplant, Dropplant
Et: Aniisi-hiidiisop
Fi: Yrtti-iiso, Anisiiso
Fr: Hysope anisée, Agastache fenouil
De: Anis-Ysop, Duftnessel
Hu: Ánizsillatú izsópfű
Lt: Pankolinė kinmėtė
Oj: Wexa ‘wûnûckwûk’
Fa: زوفای بزرگ معطر
Ru: Многоколосник фенхельный
Sv: Anisisop
Zh-tw: 茴藿香
Uk: Лофант
Synonyms
- Perilla marathrosma (Spreng.)
- Vleckia anethiodora ((Nutt.) Greene)
- Vleckia foeniculum ((Pursh) MacMill.)
- Hyssopus discolor (Desf.)
- Hyptis marathrosma ((Spreng.) Benth.)
- Vleckia discolor (Raf.)
- Hyssopus foeniculum ((Pursh) Spreng.)
- Vleckia bracteata (Raf.)
- Vleckia bracteosa (Raf.)
- Agastache anethiodora ((Nutt.) Britton & A.Br.)
- Agastache foeniculum f. bernardii (B.Boivin)
- Vleckia anisata ((Nutt.) Raf.)
- Hyssopus anisatus (Nutt.)
- Agastache foeniculum f. candicans (B.Boivin)
- Vleckia albescens (Raf.)
- Hyssopus anethiodorus (Nutt.)
- Vleckia incarnata (Raf.)
- Stachys foeniculum (Pursh)
- Lophanthus anisatus ((Nutt.) Benth.)
- Lophanthus foeniculum ((Pursh) E.Mey.)
Distribution
- Alberta (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Montana (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Québec (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Washington (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Austria (introduced)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Delaware (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- New Hampshire (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Leaf
Taken Aug 24, 2021 by petra Vanherle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2021 by Theo Theo Roche (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 30, 2022 by piccoli (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 15, 2022 by Nicolas Chipon (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 31, 2021 by Madeira F (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Oct 7, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 28, 2015 by EOL − Melissa (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 10, 2016 by EOL − jgall (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 4, 2015 by EOL − Aarongunnar (cc-by-nc)
Habit
Taken May 4, 2017 by Rémi Knaff (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 22, 2019 by Carole England (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 4, 2017 by Rémi Knaff (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 13, 2020 by Dominique Perron (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2021 by Theo Theo Roche (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Sep 7, 2019 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 8, 2018 by Irène MARIETTE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 27, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Julius Thijssen (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 7, 2019 by Bastien Messey (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 25, 2021 by Alice Bennett (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 13, 2018 by Nat Attack (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 2, 2020 by Alice Bennett (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 16, 2022 by Natasha Magali Debogorski (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 22, 2019 by Carole England (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Apr 24, 2021 by Ha Anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 12, 2021 by Irma Torres (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 3, 2021 by Pat (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2926406)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:6304-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Agastache foeniculum (Pursh) Kuntze)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Subshrub, Forb/herb
