Hyssop
(Hyssopus officinalis)

Hyssop has a native range from Europe, western Asia and northern Africa and has naturalized in parts of north America. This perennial aromatic sub-shrub features a clumping habit in the mint family, bearing tubular blue to purple flowers that attract a variety of pollinators and especially hummingbirds with its minty-sage smell. Performs well in poor and well drained soils, is drought tolerant once established, and an easy to grow, beautiful addition to the medicinal herbal garden or just as eye catching in an ornamental bed. It can also be utilized as a low hedge or on a slope to hinder erosion. Hyssop is a culinary herb with its origins tracing back to Roman times in an herbal wine and the oil is currently used to flavor Chartreuse liquor. Hyssop flowers and leaves produce phytochemicals that could aid in colds, coughs, congestion and are generally used as an expectorant to name a few. Culinarily used in salads, soups, vegetable dishes, sauces, soft cheeses, gravies and for pita bread.