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Anise Hyssop Seeds

Heirloom, Native

4.3076923076923 out of 5 stars
(13 reviews)
Also known as agastache, lavender hyssop, and licorice mint, this heirloom is loved by hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. With a minty, anise/licorice flavor, it is as useful in the kitchen as it is beautiful. The leaves and flowers make a refreshing, fruity tea, and can be added to salads. The lavender-blue flower spikes are lovely in fresh floral arrangements or dried bouquets. Perennial in USDA zones 4-8. Fairly drought tolerant once established.

Botanical Name: Agastache foeniculum

Family: Lamiaceae

Native: Midwestern U.S.

Hardiness: Perennial in USDA zones 4–8

Plant Dimensions: 24"–48" tall

Variety Information: 2"–6" long lavender-blue flower spikes

Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Bloom Period: Summer

Attributes: Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flower, Edible Flower, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant

When to Sow Outside: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is 60°–75°F. May also be sown in late fall for spring germination.

When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date.

Days to Emerge: 7 – 20 days

Seed Depth: Barely cover

Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 10" – 12"

Thinning: When 1" tall, thin to 1 every 10" – 12"

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Anise Hyssop Seeds Reviews

13 reviews

Great germination in no time at all!!

5 out of 5 stars Mar 19, 2020
We start our flower seeds in wet coffee filters - i.e. put on disposable powder-free gloves, spread filter on plate, wet it, and sprinkle some seeds on bottom half, then fold it up like an envelope and put in ziploc sandwich bag. Seeds had close to 100% germination in a couple of days. We transferred the sprouts to expanded wet peat pellets and put them under lights. The plants go in the ground mid-May (Chicago area, so no sooner). Great seeds!
Vicki E. Jones from IL

Easy to Grow

5 out of 5 stars May 29, 2020
These seeds germinate well and transplant easily. The plants are very fragrant and the bees love them. A couple things to keep in mind with these plants: They grow tall and easily flop over and break in the wind and weather, be sure to adequately support them. They are prolific self-seeders. I leave the foliage and dried seed heads through the winter for interest and for the birds. I cut all the dry dead material back in the spring, which works well. However, these guys spread like crazy! The seeds have sown all over my yard, in the rocks, in the mulch, in my raised beds...not in my grass though, so that's good. They are easy to pull out when young, but be aware that if you leave the flowers to go to seed, you may have a ton of new plants the following year! Over all, this is a great plant! Easy to grow, super fragrant, and wonderful food for beneficial garden insects!
Laura Davis from CO

Poor Germination

3 out of 5 stars Oct 19, 2020
Purchased three seed packets and followed seed sowing instructions. Only 8 seeds germinated.
Zoe Tucker-Borrut from NJ
Owner Response: Hi Zoe, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are sorry that you experienced poor germination with this variety. Quality is important to us. We test our seed lots frequently to ensure germination rates exceed federal and our own standards. We happily guarantee our seeds. A customer service agent will be contacting you to help.

Never grew!

1 out of 5 stars Oct 20, 2020
I planted the seeds and not one Lavender Hyssop grew.
Jo from MN
Owner Response: Hi Jo, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are sorry that you experienced poor germination with this variety. Quality is important to us. We test our seed lots frequently to ensure germination rates exceed federal and our own standards. We happily guarantee our seeds. A customer service agent will be contacting you to help.

The bees loved them!

5 out of 5 stars Oct 26, 2020
Oh my, these were delightful. The bees could not get enough of them and they smelled divine.
Grace Wright from CO

Grew vigorously started outdoors in WI HZ 5a

5 out of 5 stars Jan 14, 2021
I am going to try these as soon as they are available again, at my new MN HZ 4 home.
JJ from MN

Poor Germination Rate

2 out of 5 stars Feb 19, 2021
There was very little germination for the lavender hyssop seeds. I love Botanical Interests seeds because my salad greens are very viable and going strong. However, I was sadly disappointed with this, the bee balm and basil mix. There was very little germination for the amount of seeds and time invested. But I will try again because I am expanding my butterfly and hummingbird garden. These plants would make a fantastic addition.
Dom from CA
Owner Response: Hello Dom, thank you for making us aware of this issue. We are sorry you experienced poor germination of these seeds. All our seeds are tested by a third-party laboratory to ensure the germinate rate exceeds federal and our own standards. We do guarantee our seeds. A customer service representative will contact you shortly to see how we can help.

Very hardy

5 out of 5 stars Apr 23, 2021
Great germination rate. Slow to grow at first but eventually got there. Definitely grew back vigorously the second year.
Marnie Ann from NY

First Year Success Story

5 out of 5 stars Jun 22, 2021
I planted numerous different seeds in my garden in early spring and these were the ones that really took off the very first year. This year, they're even taller and about ready to explode into flower. Self-sows like crazy.
Sean from NY

Did amazingly well

5 out of 5 stars Aug 2, 2021
Very good germination rates, transplanted well, and flowered in the first season. They really hit their stride in mid-late July and are definitely the most popular of all my plants among the pollinators. Seriously. Ants, flies, butterflies, MANY types of bees and more are always found in large numbers on the flowers. It's amazing. A must-have for wildlife lovers. Zone 5b.
Tessa from CO

Lots of Good Qualities in One Plant

5 out of 5 stars Nov 19, 2021
Anise hyssop has so many attributes: year-round appeal, fragrant leaves, it blooms the first year, bees love, it, and it's easy to grow. I have a large group of them planted on the corner by the sidewalk, fully exposed to the weather. They're three feet tall, unsupported, and they don't flop over. (Someone mentioned their plants needed support; perhaps they're planted in rich soil.) Before planting, I cold stratified the seeds a month in a wet coffee filter in the fridge, then planted them in seed trays in February. After danger of frost passed, I planted the seedlings in tilled but unamended clay soil. All of them came back the next year. They did reseed a little right where they grow; there might have more seedlings if the prevailing winds blew a different direction. Through the winter, the stems stay upright and seed heads stay on the plant, making for winter interest. They're easily cleared away in the spring.
Lori from IN

Anise Hyssop Seeds

5 out of 5 stars Apr 30, 2022
Purchased these seeds last season and just a few weeks ago planted some seeds in a pot inside the house to see if they would germinate! Believe me they did, I now have about a dozen plus seedlings growing. Will see. how they continue to do under my tender care!
Theresa from TN

Excellent germination

5 out of 5 stars May 12, 2022
The seedlings were planted rather late in the fall. They all survived the winter and the plants are all vigorous. I'm waiting for them to flower.
Janice from NC

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