Anise Hyssop

Anise hyssop is a perennial herb that tastes as good as it looks with its fragrant green leaves and large spikes of attractive purple flowers.. It is popular as border plant and in the herb garden. Its tall stems grow to around 90cm tall in and they produce long spikes of blue flowers for months in summer. Their strong vertical accent making them a good foil for other plants in the garden.

The leaves have a sweet aniseed flavour and fragrance and are used as a flavouring either fresh or cooked. The leaves are used to make teas, cordials and salads and a savoury seasoning can be made with other herbs such as thyme to rub on poultry or pork. The flowers are edible with a light anise flavour and make a tasty and beautiful garnish or addition to a salad.

Often referred to as a ‘Wonder Honey Plant’, it produces copious amounts of nectar for bees and butterflies to feast upon and is an important crop for commercial honey production. Bees hold an undisputed attraction for the flowers, the colour and shape being among bees’ favorite’s. Together they produce an excellent, lightly fragrant honey.

They also help to repel the cabbage moth and slugs along with other strong-smelling herbs such as lavender, sage, and rosemary.  Try planting them around the edges of your patch to form an odour barrier that doesn’t restrict your own access.

Photo Credit https://www.flickr.com/photos/melanieshawmedicalherbalist/

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