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Hyssopus officinalis
Plant Family
Lamiaceae
Hyssopus officinalis
Photo by: JAMES H. SCHUTTE
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
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 5
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USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 9
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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
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Plant Type
Herb
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m
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Width
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Bloom Time
Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
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Native To
Europe, Southern Europe, Turkey
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Container, Edging, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
Yes
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