Anise Hyssop
Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) is a fragrant, perennial wildflower native to Wisconsin, sought after by both gardeners and pollinators. Standing two to four feet tall, it features dense, upright spikes of soft blue to lavender flowers—each spike measuring one to three inches long and composed of tightly packed, quarter-inch blossoms. These blooms are a magnet for native bees, including bumblebees, mining bees, leaf cutter bees, and sweat bees, as well as butterflies like the Eastern tiger swallowtail. Hummingbirds are also frequent visitors, drawn by the nectar-rich flowers.
Its leaves are lance-shaped, toothed, and opposite on the square stem, ranging from two to three inches long and attached by short petioles. When crushed, the foliage releases a sweet, licorice-like scent that hints at its name and herbal history. Anise hyssop thrives in dry to medium soils and tolerates both sun and partial shade, making it versatile across habitats—from open prairies to the dappled understory of deciduous woodlands. (SF)