Hyssopus officinalis

Hyssop is an aromatic, semi-evergreen, woody-based, shrubby perennial that grows in an erect bushy clump to 18-24î tall. It is frequently grown in herb gardens and as an ornamental. It is native to the northern Mediterranean coast and Asia Minor, but has naturalized along roads in some parts of the U. S. It features narrow, stalkless, toothed, aromatic, shiny dark green leaves (to 1î long). Fragrant, two-lipped, tubular, purple-blue flowers with protruding stamens bloom in whorls on long dense terminal spikes in mid to late summer. Foliage, flowers and plant oils have a long history of culin... more »

Hyssop is an aromatic, semi-evergreen, woody-based, shrubby perennial that grows in an erect bushy clump to 18-24î tall. It is frequently grown in herb gardens and as an ornamental. It is native to the northern Mediterranean coast and Asia Minor, but has naturalized along roads in some parts of the U. S. It features narrow, stalkless, toothed, aromatic, shiny dark green leaves (to 1î long). Fragrant, two-lipped, tubular, purple-blue flowers with protruding stamens bloom in whorls on long dense terminal spikes in mid to late summer. Foliage, flowers and plant oils have a long history of culinary and folk medicine uses. Leaves have been and still are used in cooking to flavor such things as meats, soups, sauces, salads or stews. Hyssop oil is currently used as a flavoring agent in Chartreuse liquor. Plants are attractive to bees and butterflies. (less)