Bill Williams Mountain Giant Hyssop: A Rare Native Worth Investigating
If you’ve stumbled across the name Bill Williams Mountain giant hyssop (Agastache pallidiflora neomexicana var. neomexicana), you might be wondering if this native wildflower deserves a spot in your garden. Well, you’re not alone in your curiosity – this particular plant is something of a botanical puzzle that even experienced gardeners might find mysterious.
What Makes This Plant Special?
Bill Williams Mountain giant hyssop belongs to the beloved Agastache family, those aromatic perennial herbs that pollinators absolutely adore. As a native forb herb, it’s the kind of low-growing, non-woody perennial that forms the backbone of many successful native plant gardens.
This particular variety is listed as being native to the lower 48 states, which gives it some serious native plant street cred. Native plants are garden gold because they’ve evolved alongside local wildlife and are perfectly adapted to regional growing conditions.
Where Does It Come From?
According to available records, this giant hyssop calls New Mexico home. The southwestern United States is known for its incredible diversity of Agastache species, many of which have adapted to thrive in challenging desert and mountain conditions.
The Reality Check: What We Don’t Know
Here’s where things get a bit tricky (and honestly, pretty interesting from a plant detective standpoint). There’s surprisingly little detailed information available about this specific variety. We don’t have solid data on:
- Exact growing requirements and preferred conditions
- Mature size and growth rate
- Specific pollinator relationships
- Conservation status or rarity
- Availability in the nursery trade
Should You Try to Grow It?
The short answer is: proceed with caution and do your homework first. If you’re interested in this plant, here’s what I’d recommend:
Verify the plant identity – Before purchasing or planting anything labeled with this name, double-check with reputable native plant societies, botanical gardens, or extension services in New Mexico. The taxonomic naming might need clarification.
Consider well-documented alternatives – If you’re drawn to native Agastache species, there are several fantastic options with proven track records in gardens, such as Agastache rupestris (sunset hyssop) or Agastache cana (Texas hummingbird mint).
General Agastache Growing Tips
If you do manage to source this plant, most Agastache species share similar preferences:
- Well-draining soil (they hate wet feet)
- Full sun to partial shade
- Drought tolerance once established
- Minimal fertilization needs
- Deadheading to encourage continued blooming
The Bottom Line
Bill Williams Mountain giant hyssop represents one of those fascinating plant mysteries that remind us how much we still have to learn about our native flora. While I can’t give you a definitive growing guide for this particular variety, I can encourage you to explore the wonderful world of native Agastache species.
If you’re passionate about supporting native plants and local ecosystems, stick with well-documented native species from reputable sources. Your garden – and local wildlife – will thank you for it. And who knows? Maybe your interest in this mysterious hyssop will inspire you to become a citizen scientist and help fill in some of those knowledge gaps!
