Hyssop - Hyssopus officinalis  - €6 per plant 

Hyssop is an aromatic, semi-evergreen, shrubby perennial that grows in an erect bushy clump.  It is a highly ornamental plant with a long and extensive history in herbal medicine.  It can be grown as ground cover but is also an excellent choice for a herb or rock garden. It's leaves and flowers are edible and the later are extremely attractive to a wide range of useful pollinators. It is easily grown in average, well-drained soils and likes a sunny position. To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: Europe
  • native habitat: Dry hills, old walls and buildings
  • family: Lamiaceae

Predators

  • none known

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full sun, dappled shade
  • soil pH: Neutral and basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a - 11
  • Prefers dry or moist, and well-drained soil
  • Cannot grow in deep shade
  • Established plants have respectable drought tolerance

Known hazards 

  • ​Volatile oil can cause convulsions. Avoid with epilepsy of fits. Diarrhoea and indigestion rare

Overview

  • 2nd yr old bare root
  • An evergreen shrub growing to 0.6 m  by 0.6 m at a medium rate.
  • ​It is in flower from July to September and seeds ripen August to October.  The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by bees
  • It is noted for attracting wildlife.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil.
  • Suitable pH: Nneutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.
  • It prefers dry or moist soil.
  • The plant can tolerate nutritionally poor soil

Characteristics

  • form: Evergreen shrub 
  • layer : Shrub Layer
  • habit: clumping
  • height x width (m): 0.6 x 0.6:  

Products 

  • Flowers: Edible, pretty tubular, purple-blue flowers that are attractive to many insects including butterflies
  • Leaves: Leaves have been and still are used in cooking to flavour stews and sauces. 
  • Medicinal: A long history. Considered antiseptic, astringent, carminative, emmenagogue, expectorant, purgative, stimulant, stomachic. Some studies have suggested the plant contains antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic and antioxidant properties.

Functions, behaviors


  • A very ornamental plant, which is very attractive to a range of pollinators.
  • Strongly aromatic 
  • Good candidate for a rock garden
  • Thrives with regular watering, but established plants have respectable drought tolerance.
If you would like this plant  please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project