How to Grow and Care for Gratiola

Hedge hyssop (Gratiola officinalis) originates in Europe, where it grows in fens and ditches and on river banks. Despite its name, it is more suited to being planted in bog gardens and water features than as a hedge. It is poisonous if ingested.

Golden hedge-hyssop is distinguished by its vibrant golden-yellow flowers, which sit atop slender, erect stems. Typically found in moist habitats, its lance-shaped leaves and branching habit allow it to thrive near water sources. The plant's overall structure is adapted to maximize sunlight capture and pollinator visits, critical for its survival in competitive wetland environments.

The lance-shaped to oval leaves are arranged oppositely about the stem. They are up to 5 centimeters long and sometimes toothed along the edges. The inflorescence is a raceme of nearly cylindrical tubular whitish flowers each about a centimeter long. At the base of each flower is a fringe of five pointed sepals. The fruit is a spherical capsule about half a centimeter wide.

Shaggy hedgehyssop is a delicate, flowering plant characterized by its soft, hairy stems and small, lance-shaped leaves. Its subtle, pinkish-white flowers usually bear a singular grace, nestled close to the stem. Thriving in wet habitats, shaggy hedgehyssop has developed a preference for moist soils, which influences its slender form and sparse foliage distribution, an adaptation suited for environments where water is abundant yet competition for sunlight is fierce.

Gratiola officinalis, the gratiole, common hedgehyssop or herb of grace, is an ornamental plant in the Plantaginaceae family. It is a rhizomatous perennial herb native to Europe.