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Hyssopus officinalis

Image of Hyssopus officinalis

James H. Schutte

Family

Lamiaceae

Botanical Name

Hyssopus officinalis

Plant Common Name

Common Hyssop, True Hyssop

General Description

Slender, leafy spikes of soft lavender-pink to lavender-blue flowers appear above true hyssop's fine, aromatic leaves in summer and autumn. Native to southern Europe, it is a low, bushy, semi-evergreen subshrub that is commonly grown as a perennial. Its lightly fragrant flowers and foliage were once valued for herbal remedies in old Europe.

True hyssop has very small, fine, medium green leaves. From midsummer to early autumn, it produces a modest display of leafy, upright stems lined with small, lavender-pink or lavender-blue flowers. Each small blossom is funnel-shaped with two lips. The flowers irresistible to bees and may even draw the occasional butterfly.

Grow hyssop in full sun and average, well-drained soil that is neutral to alkaline. The plants can withstand some drought once established. Pruning is best done in mid-spring. It takes well to hard pruning and shearing and can be clipped and shaped for edging and parterres. Hyssop self-sows, though not too aggressively. Grow this charming plant in any sunny garden space.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 5

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    6 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Herb

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m

  • Width

    2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m

  • Bloom Time

    Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall

  • Native To

    Europe, Southern Europe, Turkey

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Pink, Lavender, Blue Violet

  • Fruit Color

    Tan

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green

  • Bark Color

    Sandy Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    Yes

  • Fragrant Foliage

    Yes

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    Yes

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Semi-Evergreen

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Edging, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes