Yellow Giant Hyssop
(Agastache nepetoides)

Left: Agastache nepetoides in ASMSA Garden in Fall 2024.

Above: Compound flower of Agastache nepetoides.

Plant Characteristics

Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:

Yellow hyssop is best grown in full sun to partial shade and in moist, well-drained soils. They prefer acidic soils but are tolerant of most soil types except for poorly drained areas.

Growth Habit/Description:

Tall herbaceous perennial that grows 4'-6’ in height and 1-3’ wide with toothed, arrowhead-shaped, medium to dark green leaves. Tiny, pale yellow flowers grow from stiff square stems. Colonizes to form thickets so best in mass plantings. Flowers produce small seeds that self-germinate in the spring.

Bloom Season:

Tiny yellow flowers bloom at the stem tips in mid-summer to fall.

Fall and/or Winter Interest?

Yes.

http://bonap.net/Napa/Genus/Traditional/County#refR

Distribution

Habitat: Yellow giant hyssop grows in full to partial sun, and fairly dry to very wet locations. It naturally occurs in meadows, along fencerows, in lowland woods and thickets. It is also found in upland deciduous woods.

Native to Arkansas? Yes

Native to Garland County? No

Endemic to Arkansas? No

Ecological Value

Host Plant for Caterpillars?

Yes. Yellow Giant Hyssop is a host plant for Polydamas Swallowtail (Battus polydamas).

Other Known Ecological Value?

Yes. The Yellow Hyssop provides nectar for pollinators, increases biodiversity, and reduces erosion and increases soil stability.

Other Interesting Facts

Origin of Name: In Greek, its name means "abundant spikes."

Related Plant Species: Yellow giant hyssop is related to several other plants such as Blue giant hyssop (Agastache rugosa), Purple giant hyssop (Agastache scrophulariifolia), and Catnip (Nepeta cataria).

Use For Food/Medicine:

Yellow giant hyssop has been used to help treat digestive issues and respiratory issues.

References

Agastache nepetoides (yellow giant hyssop). Gardenia. (n.d.). https://www.gardenia.net/plant/agastache-nepetoides

Yellow giant hyssop. Native Plants and Ecosystem Services. (n.d.).
https://www.canr.msu.edu/nativeplants/plant_facts/yellow_giant_hyssop

Tallamy, D. W. (2009). Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants. Timber Press.

Haines, A., et al. (2020). Flora Novae Angliae: A Manual for the Identification of Native and Naturalized Higher Vascular Plants of New England. Yale University Press.

Duke, J. A. (2002). Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. CRC Press.

Last edited by Rasikh Imam, September 2024.

Yellow Giant Hyssop (Agastache nepetoides)