How to Prune an Anise Hyssop

A perennial herb in the mint family, anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) grows 2 to 4 feet in height and bears tall stalks of fragrant flowers. Crush the plant's foliage and you will know how the plant got its name: it smells like licorice. The leaves and flowers are edible and can be used in teas, cookies and muffins. Anise hyssop also adds color, texture and lots of bees and butterflies to gardens in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9b.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Allow the foliage to remain on the anise hyssop plant through the winter. In early spring, cut the plant back to the new foliage that is growing from the crown.

   • 2

     Remove dead flowers periodically during the season. Cut them to the base of the stem.

   • 3

     Trim the anise hyssop again when it finishes flowering. Make this a light pruning, just cutting any stems that are growing beyond the shape you desire for the plant.