Herb
Giant Hyssop
A tier
Giant hyssop is the common name for Agastache species—tall North American and East Asian mint-family plants with anise-liquorice perfume, not true Hyssopus. Spikes are large and colourful; leaves are softer and sweeter than camphoraceous garden hyssop. Market confusion is rampant because both carry “hyssop” in English. Use as an anise-scented tea herb, fruit salad garnish, and honey-plant leaf—not as a one-to-one swap for medieval European hyssop recipes that expect Hyssopus bitterness. Excellent for pollinator gardens with a culinary side harvest. Specify Agastache when buying plants if you want this flavour.
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History
Indigenous North American peoples used Agastache (giant hyssop) as tea and flavouring plants.
Botanists described giant hyssops distinctly from European Hyssopus.
Native-plant and herb movements popularised giant hyssop in gardens.
Culinary interest in Agastache anise notes grew among tea and dessert cooks.