Hyssopus

Small shrubs or perennials, with narrow, highly aromatic leaves and spikes of flowers in violet-blue, white or pink. Excellent for bees. Some can be used for low hedging. One species native to Europe, H. officinalis. Long used as a culinary herb, with a spicy flavour. The Greek hyssopos, meaning 'holy herb', as it was traditionally used for cleaning sacred places.