Anise hyssop
An anise-scented North American perennial; it flowers for weeks from July to September and is among the late-summer plants most heavily worked by honey bees.
- Nectar
- Very good
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 0,6-1,2 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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A perennial from the central and northern prairies of North America whose leaves smell of anise when crushed. In North America and eastern Europe beekeepers have long sown it as a honey plant. Its short-tubed flowers are rich in nectar, so honey bees work the spikes all day; its pollen contribution is moderate.
Flowering
Dense lavender-purple spikes open in July and last 6-8 weeks until September. Nectar secretion continues on hot days too; it is moderately drought-tolerant and flowers longer in irrigated gardens.
Honey and pollen
Plantings are small, so monofloral honey production is uncommon; it can add a slight aniseed aroma to mixed late-summer honeys. There are no reliable data on honey yield for this plant.
Note for the beekeeper
Sowing it around the apiary and in bee gardens is recommended to bridge the late-summer dearth. Grown from seed it flowers in the first year, stays productive for 3-4 years and self-seeds. It does not grow wild in Turkey, and no invasive behaviour has been reported.