Hyssopus officinalis subsp. aristatus
Hyssop, Rock hyssop
Also known as Hyssopus aristatus
- Height × spread
- 0.6m × 0.3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This small shrub has bright green foliage and is charming in late summer when covered by soft violet blue flowers. The plant is aromatic and the scent is variously described as warm, or as bitter and minty. It sometimes finds its way into potpourris and has been used as a strewing herb. The flowers are much loved by bees and butterflies. It likes a warm sunny site, and lime-rich soil. The shrub stands around 60cm (2ft) high.
- Flower colour
- Blue
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, honey-almond
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Herb garden, Gravel garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring - mid · Planting
Prune young growth
Remove most of the young growth that the plant has made in the previous season. Leave just around 2 centimetres of young growth on the plant. Don't cut into old wood unless it is diseased or damaged.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.