Description

This hyssop is scattered in a variety of plant communities throughout the western US and southern British Columbia. One usually associates the genus agastache with the Southwest, but a couple of species occur in California. Like many members of the mint family, the giant hyssop grows with upright stems with opposite, lance-shaped leaves. The leaves are large with jagged edges, very similar to stinging nettle in appearance. Fortunately, hyssop lacks the stinging hairs of a true nettle. The flowers of the giant hyssop appear in spring as bunches of whorled flowers topping tall stalks. The flower color varies but usually has at least some touch of lavender. Giant hyssop prefers well-draining soil and at least occasional supplemental irrigation once established.