Known also as Wrinkled Giant Hyssop and Purple Giant Hyssop (among numerous other names), this hyssop is taller than Anise Hyssop, often having flower spikes reach 4 to 5 feet in height. The leaves are a bright green, more wrinkled than Anis Hyssop, and also shiny upon emergence, rather than of a velvety nature.

In terms of desirability to pollinators, Blue Licorice is as much of a splash with bees, butterflies, pollinating moths and other pollinators as Anise Hyssop, a reliable truth for much of the Agastache family. As with it’s relation, Blue Licorice will feed this wide array of pollinators late in the summer and well into the autumn, even as many other food sources for bees, butterflies and others are diminishing. Bumble Bees obsession with Agastache is quite of note as Autumn arrives.

Blue Licorice grows it’s best blooming in mild and short season climates, where it can bloom for a couple of months. It does perform well, though, in all but the warmest U.S. states, and will reliably return year after year to provide lots of joy for your pollinators, and some great tea leaves for those lovers of licorice flavor.

Care: When planting Blue Licorice, dig a 12-15 inch hole to loosen the soil and ensure good drainage. Agastache rugosa does not enjoy long periods of “wet feet”. Otherwise, it is highly adaptable to various soils, whether clay or sand, and does not require a highly fertile soil. A light dressing of compost can be a great boost, though. Water regularly until your Blue Licorice has been established, and thereafter it is highly tolerant of dry periods. Divisions can be made every other year, and dividing every 2-3 years to helps create the healthiest-looking spread of all.