Rose Nectar Hyssop seed Hyssopus officinalis

LATIN NAME: HYSSOPUS OFFICINALIS

COMMON NAME: Rose Nectar Hyssop

The rose nectar hyssop sips the upright, branching stems with the narrow, aromatic, grey-green leaves and the dense spikes of the small, rose-pink, tubular flowers that open through the summer and into the autumn, the whole plant carrying the lively, nectar-rich look of the mint family. The flowers open from the bottom of the spike upward, and the bees, the butterflies, and the hummingbirds find them fast. The bush keeps the neat, upright habit, and it stands the heat and the dry spells well. It likes the sun, and the light, well-drained soil.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

In the mint family, the nectar-rich hyssops have a recognised place in the pollinator research, and the rose-pink forms appear in the studies of the nectar production and the drought tolerance. The work covers the seed biology and the way the plant keeps the spikes coming through the heat, while the ecologists value the flowers for the bees and the hummingbirds. The horticulturists note the long bloom, and the growers of the drought-tolerant herbs keep the species in their catalogues.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

In the sunny border, the rose nectar hyssop keeps the bees coming all summer. The rose-pink spikes draw the bees, the butterflies and the hummingbirds through the warm months, the grey-green leaves carry the clean, herby scent, and the plant takes the dry spells without the fuss. It grows well in the light, well-drained, sunny bed. Bright, generous and nectar-rich.

The rose nectar hyssop seeds germinate readily in the open seed bed kept moist. The seeds need the light, so press them into the surface without the covering. The seedlings push up within a couple of weeks, and they grow on fast with the aromatic leaves. Thin them out into the light, well-drained, sunny bed, and give them the full sun. The rose-pink spikes come within the first summer.

To grow the rose nectar hyssop from seed, sprinkle the seeds lightly over the surface of the open seed bed, then press them in gently, keep the bed moist, and the seedlings show themselves within a couple of weeks. Plant the young plants in the sunny, light ground, and the rose-pink spikes will sip the nectar through the summer.

Highly fragrant, early flowering form of hyssop. Will flower the first season if sown early enough (Feb-Mar). Excellent dry flower arrangements. Ht. 35-40cm/14-16.