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Create A Pollinator Paradise In Your Yard With Anise Hyssop
By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS
Growing anise hyssop in your garden can transform your yard into a thriving pollinator paradise, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, moths, and other nectar-loving animals.
This edible plant can grow up to 4 feet tall and produce nectar-filled purple flowers from June to September. It is well-suited for USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8.
To start your pollinator garden, plant anise hyssop seeds in small pots indoors about six weeks before the last frost, ensuring that the seeds are just lightly covered with soil.
The seedlings usually begin to grow within four weeks and can be moved outdoors once the risk of frost has passed, with a spacing of 12 to 18 inches apart in well-draining soil.
You can also plant the seeds directly outdoors once temperatures warm up. Once established, it prefers full sun and only needs watering when the top few inches of soil are dry.
Anise hyssop spreads through seeds and roots, so it's important to plan where you plant them, allowing enough space for growth and cutting them back if they spread too extensively.