Dracocephalum officinale

RHS Plant Profile
hyssop

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Synonyms

Hyssopus officinalis, Hyssopus officinalis var. decussatus

Plants for pollinators
Herbs - Culinary Herbaceous Perennial

A compact, spreading, semi-evergreen sub-shrub with erect shoots bearing aromatic, linear leaves and terminal spikes of whorled, 2-lipped, tubular blue flowers in summer and early autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
A genus of around 60 to 70 species of flowering annuals, perennials and dwarf evergreen shrubs native to temperate parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Plants within this species have aromatic green foliage which can vary from needle-shaped to nettle-like and 2-lipped, sage-like tubular flowers in shades of purple, blue or white
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe, Mediterranean, Iran

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Rock garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Ground cover
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

pruning group 10 in mid-spring

Pests

May be susceptible to leafhoppers

Diseases

Generally disease-free