Giant Purple Hyssop (Agastache scrophulariifolia)

A taller relative of the better known anise hyssop! Flowers are lavender in color and fairly small, but are valuable to and visited by a variety of pollinators. Since the flowers bloom in succession with only a few open at once, they provide a long-lasting nectar source. Prefers moist, rich soil but adapts well to part-loam and slightly dry conditions. As a colonizer species and a mint, it reseeds well in disturbed conditions but poorly in established plantings with high root competition. Can be cut back in late spring to encourage shorter, denser growth.

Light: Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade

Soil Moisture: Wet Mesic, Mesic, Dry Mesic

Soil Type: Loam

Height: 4’-6’

Bloom Color: Light Purple

Bloom Time: Jul-Sep

Root Type: ?

Notable Wildlife Interactions: Flowers attract a variety of pollinators. Seeds may feed seed-eating birds like sparrows and finches. Like other mints, it’s strong-tasting leaves are generally avoided by mammalian herbivores.