• Attractive flowering perennial
• Loved by bees
• Edible leaves and flowers
• Aromatic

Hyssop is mentioned several times in the bible and in the New Testament during the crucifixion;John 19:29 (NLT)A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to [Jesus’] lips.It was a well-known culinary herb in the Britain, originating in the Middle East and Mediterranean, but is less used nowadays where strong flavoured herbs are not needed to disguise the taste of food past its best.

Plant Care

• Height: 60-100cm
• Type: Hardy
• Aspect: Sun
• Soil: Any/alkaline
• Flower colour: Purple/blue
• Flowering period: July – September

This beautiful evergreen perennial with spikes of clustered flowers loves the sun and grows most successfully in a south facing spot. Like many of the herbs that originate in warmer climes, it survives more happily on well drained soils. It can be grown in both the ground and a pot, though it becomes less happy if it becomes pot bound, sometimes just giving up during wet dark winters.

Usage

Hyssop has a strong aromatic flavour that can be added roast vegetables, soups and pasta dishes. It is an expectorant herb, which means it helps support the lungs, easing tight chests, helping with coughs and reducing cold symptoms. The leaves and flowers can be taken as a tea or infused in honey to make a delicious cough syrup. Honey bees adore the flower, helping themselves to both nectar and pollen.