Sunday was the perfect day for harvesting hyssop and lemon balm.
Harvesting anise hyssop for tea.
They are just starting to flower the time when the leaves are most potent and flavorful.
Anise plants have capability to thrive well in full sunlight with abundant water needs whereas anise hyssop does well in full sun partial shades and is well tolerant to droughts.
Hyssop repels flea beetles and other pests.
Choose a pot at least 6 inches wide and deep.
Anise hyssop is a perennial herb in zones 4 9 from the mint family and a favorite plant of bees and gardeners alike.
Definitive guide to growing anise hyssop and preparing it for tea.
The leaves and flowers are harvested for herbal tea and all parts of the plant are edible.
Mark its location and expect it to re emerge in spring.
Grow anise hyssop indoors in a bright window.
I cut the herbs in the morning on a dry day shortly after the leaves have dried from the night dew and before the sun gets too hot and robs them of their flavor.
Anise plants get mature ready to harvest after 120 days of the transplants anise hyssop is an early blooming to get mature in 60 days after being transplanted from early summers to first frost.
In fact anise hyssop tea is recommended for morning sickness and infant colic.
It can grow tall and woody with flowers commonly blooming in lavender but there are also white pink and blue varieties.
Press leaves into a pie crust before baking for a pleasant surprise.
Anise hyssop has a flavor like anise and has a place with a similar herbal family as hyssop yet it s anything but a cross between the two.
Grow hyssop with lavender rosemary garlic chives and catmint.
How much to plant.
Anise hyssop dies back in winter.
Overwinter anise hyssop by covering plants with a layer of much during cold winters.
Leaves and flowers can also be used as an accent in salads or as a garnish.
It lures cabbage moths so it can be used as a trap plant.
Anywhere a taste of licorice or anise would enhance a dish try anise hyssop leaves instead of anise seeds.
Grow 2 hyssop plants for cooking.
Anise hyssop is a little enduring herb local to the center of north america.