Hyssop at the Shakespeare Garden

During Shakespeare’s time, hyssop was an important part of the garden, along with lavender, rue, and thyme. Hyssop would often be found in a knot garden, with the herb used to flavor foods and beverages. A tea made from the leaves might have been used to treat nose, throat, and lung afflictions and applied externally to treat bruises. This sweet smelling herb may have also been used as a strewing herb on the floor of a house.

Hyssop is an herb in the mint family.  It likes full sun but can tolerate a bit of shade.  It grows to a height of 2 feet and produces bluish-purple flowers.  It prefers well-drained, rich soil, but it can adjust to drier soils as well.  It grows best in zones 3-6.  Hyssop is native to the area ranging from southern Europe eastward to central Asia and has become naturalized in North America.