Hyssopus officinalis subsp. aristatus

RHS Plant Profile
rock hyssop

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Other common names

hyssop

Synonyms

Hyssopus aristatus

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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A compact, semi-evergreen sub-shrub to around 60cm high, with a dense, upright habit and aromatic, linear leaves. Slender spikes of funnel-shaped blue flowers are produced in summer and early autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
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

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Hyssopus can be herbaceous perennials or evergreen shrubs, with linear, aromatic leaves and whorls of tubular, 2-lipped flowers in spike-like inforescences
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
France, Spain, Balkans

How to Grow

Cultivation

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

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by softwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 10 in mid-spring

Pests

May be susceptible to sage leafhopper

Diseases

Generally disease-free