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Considered a high value nectar source for both honey bees and native bees, blue giant hyssop has become a popular choice for a wide range of plantings including mesic prairies, savannas, raingardens, shorelines, and the edges of stormwater ponds. Another pollinator favorite, the plant is also enjoyed for its aromatic leaves, which smell like licorice.
RANGE
Often found in partial shaded conditions with well-drained soils, giant blue hyssop is found throughout the northern and eastern parts of Minnesota, but is less abundant in southwest parts of the state.
Within the United States it is most common in the Great Plains, growing in mesic prairies, woodland edges, savannas and roadsides, but is also found in several states in the northeast part of the country.
A similar species “Purple Giant Hyssop” (Agastache scrophulariaefolia) is also found in Minnesota, but the foliage does not smell like licorice and the undersides of the leaves are a darker green color.
PLANTING RECOMMENDATIONS
Planting can be accomplished with seed, bareroot plants, containerized plants, or by transplanting. The very tiny seeds (90,000 seeds per ounce) should be broadcast on the soil surface in areas with partial shade to full sun
and moist soils.