Pollinator Herbs
Root Beer Hyssop
Looking for a lovely, fragrant, easy care flowering herb that really attracts pollinators? Our Root Beer hyssop lights up the garden with candelabras of deep lilac-purple flower spikes all season long. All types of bees, butterflies and hummingbirds will flock to the pretty flowers with delight. Both the flowers and handsome toothed leaves have a sweet, warm fragrance and flavor reminiscent of root beer and can be used as edible garnishes and in baking.
FROST TENDER PERENNIAL
Spring to fall bloom
Frost tender
TO START EARLY INDOORS
Sow seeds 1 inch apart in a container of well-drained seed starting mix 4 to 6 weeks before last expected frost date. Cover 1/4 inch deep, keep moist and provide a strong light source until ready to go outside. Transplant into individual containers once seedlings have 2 to 3 sets of true leaves. Transplant into garden once weather warms up after gradually acclimating seedlings to outdoor conditions.
TO PLANT OUTDOORS
Sow seeds directly into well-worked garden soil in full sun once all danger of frost is past. Space seeds 3 inches apart and cover about 1/4 inch deep. Keep soil evenly moist while awaiting germination in 10 to 14 days. See final spacing below.
PLANT SPACING
When well established, thin or transplant seedlings 9 to 12 inches apart so plants have room to mature. You can transplant extra seedlings when thinning.
GROWING NOTES
Throughout summer, multiple purple-blue flower spikes attract myriads of honeybees, butterflies and other important garden pollinators. Cut spent spikes to encourage reblooming all season. Use the sweet licorice scented leaves in Asian style stirfries and add to herbal teas. Plants will overwinter in mild climates.
Cold Winters |
Mild Winters |
Sun/Shade |
Sow Seeds |
Days To Germinate |
Mature Height |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May ā June
|
April ā June
|
Full sun
|
3 inches apart |
7 ā 12 days
|
3 feet
|
Cold Winters |
Mild Winters |
Sun/Shade |
Sow Seeds |
Days To Germinate |
Mature Height |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May ā June
|
April ā June
|
Full sun
|
3 inches apart |
7 ā 12 days
|
3 feet
|
Cold Winters
May ā June
|
Mild Winters
April ā June
|
Sun/Shade
Full sun
|
Sow Seeds3 inches apart |
Days To Germinate
7 ā 12 days
|
Mature Height
3 feet
|