Feathery in foliage and flower, Hyssopleaf Thoroughwort brings a soft, silvery shimmer to sunny borders and meadows. Clouds of tiny white blossoms float above fine, narrow leaves in late summer, creating an airy texture. The purplish stems with their thin whorled leaves move gently in the breeze, adding motion to naturalistic and informal gardens. This underused native grows a modest 1–3 feet tall and 1–2 feet wide, mixing gracefully with warm-season grasses and fall bloomers. The flat-topped clusters of dainty flowers are magnets for bees and butterflies, and the seedheads can be left standing for foraging birds. Despite its delicate appearance, Hyssopleaf Thoroughwort is tough, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant, and thrives where many fussier perennials cannot.
Conditions: Full sun to part sun; dry to medium, well-drained soils
Size: 1'-3' tall, 1'-2' spread
Zone: 4 - 8
Wildlife Value: Excellent nectar source for bees and butterflies; larval host for Clymene the Moth; seedheads offer food for birds
Photo: Doug McGrady