Mexican hyssop, Mexican giant hyssop

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other names: Toronjil Morado uses: culinary (fûszernövény)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.8m by 0.3m . It is hardy to zone 7. It is in flower in August, and the seeds ripen in September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. We rate it 3 out of 5 for usefulness.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Cultivated Beds.
Edible Uses
Leaves; Tea.

The highly aromatic young leaves are used as a flavouring in salads and cooked foods.

The young leaves are used to make a herbal tea.

Cultivation details
Prefers a warm sunny sheltered position and a well-drained soil. Succeeds in most soils.

Although given a hardiness rating of 9 in [200] (which means that a plant is not very frost-tolerant), this species is thriving in a sunny bed at Kew Botanical Gardens and so should be hardy to at least zone 7[K]. Another report says that it withstands temperatures down to about -40°c when dormant. Yet another report says that it should succeed outdoors in the milder and drier counties, but that it is not very long-lived.

The flowers are very attractive to bees.
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 13°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year. Plant out in late spring or early summer[K].

Division in spring. Fairly simple, if large divisions are used it is possible to plant them straight out into their permanent positions.

Basal cuttings of young shoots in spring. Harvest the young shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm tall and pot them up in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse. They should root within 3 weeks and can be planted out in the summer or following spring.