Native Plants
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Agastache foeniculum
Agastache foeniculum (Pursh) Kuntze
Blue Giant Hyssop, Blue Giant-hyssop, Fragrant Giant Hyssop, Lavender Hyssop, Anise Hyssop
Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Synonym(s): Agastache anethiodora
USDA Symbol: AGFO
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A 2-4 ft. perennial with dense, terminal spikes of small, tubular, bright blue flowers. Leaves are opposite, oval, toothed and whitish beneath give off the scent of anise when bruised. The sturdy, erect blue giant-hyssop is of the most ornamental native mints.
The genus Agastache describes the flower clusters and is derived from two Greek words agan meaning much and stachys meaning ear of grain.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall.
Fruit: 4 nutlets.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Blue , PurpleBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: CO , CT , DE , IA , IL , KY , MI , MN , MT , ND , NE , NH , NY , PA , SD , WA , WI , WYCanada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NT , ON , QC , SK
Native Distribution: N. CO to WI, n. to adjacent Canada
Native Habitat: Dry, open, semi-shaded areas; roadsides
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Sandy, well-drained soils
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesFragrant Flowers: yes
Fragrant Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies , Hummingbirds
Nectar Source: yes
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSpecial Value to Bumble Bees
Special Value to Honey Bees
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Propagation Material: Clump Division , SeedsDescription: Very easy to start from seed. Divide plant in spring or fall.
Seed Collection: Seed ripens in fall.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 928 - 100 easy-to-grow native plants for Canadian gardens (2005) Johnson, L.; A. LeyerleBibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona ChapterFrom the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1994 VOL. 11, NO.2 - Celebrate Spring With the National Wildflower Research Center, National Hotlines...Additional resources
USDA: Find Agastache foeniculum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Agastache foeniculum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Agastache foeniculum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-31Research By: TWC Staff