Anise Hyssop vs Joe-Pye Weed

Anise Hyssop is a native perennial wildflower known for its fragrant spikes of small purple flowers. This plant is an excellent source of nectar and is highly attractive to a variety of bees and other pollinators. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage more blooms throughout the season.

Its aromatic leaves release an anise-like (licorice) scent when crushed. Both the leaves and seeds are edible and have been used in teas and as flavouring. Leaves can be harvested at any time, though the oil content is highest just past full bloom. Deer tend to avoid Anise Hyssop because of its strong-smelling leaves. This makes it a useful plant for positioning as a protective border around more vulnerable species.

Anise Hyssop spreads by seeds and rhizomes, but is less aggressive than other members of the mint family and is easy to remove if needed. Historically, it was planted in large numbers as a honey plant to support apiaries. Birds also feed on its seeds, adding to its ecological value.

Joe-Pye Weed is a tall native perennial wildflower known for its clusters of fragrant pink flowers. Blooming from mid-summer to early fall, its long-lasting blooms attract a wide range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, moths, and other beneficial insects. Adding to its ecological value, Joe-Pye Weed also serves as an important host plant for several species of butterflies and moths, and its seed heads provide food for small birds into the fall and winter.

Joe-Pye Weed is well suited to pollinator gardens, rain gardens, riparian zones and wetland plantings, as well as naturalization and restoration projects. It spreads through underground rhizomes to form small colonies and is generally easy to manage, though it may require additional care and maintenance in smaller urban yards and gardens. It is also resistant to deer, making it a good choice for gardens where deer are a concern.

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