Anise hyssop is an edible herbaceous plant that is used for medical purposes. This short-lived, perennial belongs to the mint family.
It has a fragrant bloom that grows in a horizontal direction. Anise hyssop is also called giant lavender. This herb plant attracts beneficial pollinators and makes the garden alive.
Many plants do not like to grow beside them. However, Some plants do well neighbor to anise hyssop. In this post, you will learn the best anise hyssop companion plants.
What To Plant with Anise Hyssop
Anise hyssop varieties might not be a good companion for flowers and ornamental plants. Because it is a tall-growing plant that occupies nearby areas with its large leaves.
Photo: Anise Hyssop, Best anise hyssop companion plants
When grown in a group, it looks more appealing, plant a section of these beautiful, fragrant herbs in the garden. Flowers need more area to spread and they do not grow under shade.
So, the best companion plants for anise hyssop are those plants that grow long and spread wide. Otherwise, they get overtaken by anise hyssop and do not get proper nutrition and sunlight.
Below are some plants that you can grow along with anise hyssop. It’s important to plant them all properly. For more clarity, you can read our anise hyssop growing and caring guide.
How to plant companion plants
Some tips to plant, companion plant. As I mentioned, this herb plant spread a lot.
So, make sure to leave at least 8 to 10 inches of space between each plant. Anise hyssop may not be a good companion for flowers but they are great companions for vegetables and fruits.
Planting anise hyssop along with crops has many benefits. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. But, repels destructive pests that can destroy your fruits and vegetables.
It also repels deer and rabbits. Anise Hyssop has a sweet fragrance that grabs human attention but it is known to repel deer and rabbits. You can plant anise hyssop around your crop-like border to protect from these mammals.
Anise hyssop companion plants
- Bee balm
- Black-eyed Susan
- Coneflower (Echinacea)
- Globe thistle
- Joe Pye weed
- Ornamental grasses
- Russian sage
- Yarrow
- Chives
- Garlic
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Peppers
Bee balm
Photo: Bee balm
Bee balm is a herbaceous perennial native to North America.
Interestingly, it is considered to be an herb but it belongs to the mint family with aromatic leaves and colorful flowers, used for medicinal purposes.
Bee balms are planted in the spring or fall and produce clusters of scarlet pink or purple tubular flowers in mid to late summer.
Plant bee balm with anise hyssop to use perennial herbaceous plants. Bee balm has bright and vibrant flowers that give a contrasting look with an anise hyssop.
Black-eyed Susan
Photo: Black-eyes Susan
Black-eyed Susan is the most popular wildflower that is used as a companion of many plants. It has a yellow color like sun petals with a black button in the center. Due to this, it is named the blacked-eyed sun.
The plant belongs to the aster family and can grow up to 8 inches taller, and the diameter of the flower to 2 to 3 inches. This plant blooms from June to October. The blooms attract bees and butterflies that suck nectar and help plants to grow.
Read: Companion plants for Black-eyed Susans
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Photo: Coneflower, Best anise hyssop companion plants
Cornflower is a popular perennial also known as Echinacea.
It is native to the Eastern United States and belongs to the daisy family. This grows about 3-4 feet tall and has dark green foliage.
They appear similar to sunflowers but have different color textures. Coneflowers are used for medicinal purposes. It blooms from mid-summer to fall and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Planting a coneflower companion with anise hyssop will give a contrasting look. Both plants have a sweet fragrance.
Globe thistle
Photo: Globe thistle, Best anise hyssop companion plants
The Globe thistle is an old-world, fast-growing, and contemporary flower.
It has spherical blues blooms that come in summer. With striking blooms, globe thistle plants are drought tolerant and deer resistant just like anise hyssop. It has a spiking bloom but attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Joe Pye weed
Photo: Joe Pye weed, Best anise hyssop companion plants
Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium Purpureum) is a fast-growing, herbaceous perennial.
The plant is native to Eastern and Central North America. It blooms thin mauve flowers in the mid-summer and has thick stems and lance-shaped dark green foliage. The blooms have a sweet vanilla scent that attracts bees and butterflies.
Joe Pye weed is best planted in the spring after all threat of frost has passed. They thrive beside anise hyssop without any problem. Both plants will act as borders and control pests.
Ornamental grasses
Ornamental grasses are meant to grow, they usually do not cut like lawn grasses. These bright, attractive plants are used as borders and mostly not used as ground covers.
Once you start planting ornamental grasses, you will be amazed by the varieties in shapes, colors, and sizes. You can use ornamental grasses in container gardens, as ground filler, or as plant companions with other plants like anise hyssop.
Russian sage
If you’re a busy person that does not have much time to look after your garden plant but wants a good-looking colorful plant, the Russian sage is a perfect match.
The plant does not need much care. You just need to plant this in full sun and well-drained soil, after that it will thrive.
Russian sage is a slow grower in the spring but it’s worth growing them. It has beautiful silver-gray green foliage with a cover of lavender-blue flowers.
Makes a great combination with anise hyssop. They have similar blooms, it is difficult to identify the difference between these plants from the distance. Plant them side-by-side, they are good companions and support each other in growth.
Yarrow
Photo: Yarrow, Best anise hyssop companion plants
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a hardy perennial plant with showy flowers composed of tiny flower packs, rising above clusters. The flowers are found in pink, yellow, red, and any other shade in this range.
Just like anise hyssop, it is also pest and deer resistant and attracts bees and butterflies. It is excellent for cutting and drying. The plant is considered an aromatic herb.
Allium Family
While most plants do not like to grow near alliums, anise hyssop will happily grow with plants like chives, garlic, and other edible herbs in the allium family.
Vegetables and fruits
Growing anise hyssop along with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and other vegetables has many benefits. This plant protects your crop from pests and diseases.
Provide them shade in the hot summer season and keep them moist, if the vegetable does not need much sunlight. Its sweet fragrance attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies which help in pollination.
The fragrance might smell sweet to humans but anise hyssop repels distractive mammals like rabbits and deer that can eat your growing crop.
What are the good companion plants for cucumbers
Worst Companion plants for Anise hyssop
Black walnut
Anise hyssops do not grow under black walnut trees. Do not plant anise hyssop near the roots zone or drip line if you have black walnut trees.
What is the difference between hyssop and Anise Hyssop?
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is a perennial herb that is native to the Mediterranean region and is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is grown for its leaves, which are used as a herb in cooking and as a medicinal plant. Hyssop has a pungent, slightly bitter flavor that is similar to that of mint and is often used to flavor liqueurs and spirits.
Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) is a perennial herb that is native to North America and is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is grown for its leaves, which have a licorice-like flavor, and for its attractive purple or blue flowers. Anise hyssop is often used in herbal teas and as a medicinal plant.
The main difference between hyssop and anise hyssop is that hyssop has a pungent, slightly bitter flavor, while an anise hyssop has a licorice-like flavor. They are also different species and are native to different regions of the world.
What month does Anise Hyssop bloom?
Anise hyssop typically blooms from late spring to early fall, depending on the specific growing conditions and location. In general, it begins blooming in May or June and continues to bloom until the first frost of the season. In warmer climates, it may continue to bloom well into the fall.
Anise hyssop thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, and it prefers a cool, dry climate. It is drought-tolerant and is often grown in gardens and landscaping as an ornamental plant.
Did I Miss Anything?
Now I’d like to hear from you: which plant from today’s post are you going to try first? Or maybe, I didn’t mention your favorite anise hyssop companion plant. Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now.
Before going if you want to grow beautiful flowers in your garden? Then click on these articles also
Hey! I’m Madhuresh, a passionate content creator, and a Plant lover. I created Shiny Plant to explore and learn about new plants. The purpose is to provide simple and effective Gardening Tips. Hope you’ll find this informative.