Hyssop, also known as anise hyssop, belongs to the mint family and is known for its aromatic leaves and attractive flowers. When it comes to its growth habit, hyssop can be described as moderately aggressive, but not as invasive as some other members of the mint family.
One important thing to consider when planting hyssop is to choose an area where its spreading nature won’t become a problem. While hyssop does spread through self-seeding and rhizomes, it is not as aggressive as other mint varieties like peppermint or spearmint. However, it is still a good idea to plant it in an area where you don’t mind it gradually expanding its presence.
In my personal experience, I have found that hyssop tends to be a short-lived perennial, meaning it may not persist for many years in the same spot. This can be both a positive and a negative aspect, depending on your gardening goals. On one hand, it allows for some flexibility in rearranging your garden layout over time. On the other hand, if you are looking for a long-lasting perennial, you may need to replant hyssop periodically to maintain its presence in your garden.
To control the spread of hyssop and prevent it from becoming too aggressive, you can take a few measures. Regular deadheading of the flowers can help prevent excessive self-seeding, although this may also reduce the plant’s ability to attract pollinators. Alternatively, if you want to encourage self-seeding, you can leave some spent flowers to allow the plant to disperse its seeds naturally.
If you are concerned about hyssop spreading through underground rhizomes, you can plant it in a container or use barriers to limit its lateral growth. This can be particularly useful if you have limited space or if you want to contain the plant in a specific area of your garden.
While hyssop can be considered moderately aggressive, it is not as invasive as other mint varieties. Planting it in an area where its spreading nature won’t cause issues is recommended. Regular deadheading and containment measures can also help control its growth and prevent it from becoming overly aggressive.
