Growing Agastache

 

Growing Agastache transcript

I'm here at the Lloyd Border at White Flower Farm next to Agastache 'Blue Fortune.' Agastache is a striking group of plants that are found on dry hillsides of North America, Asia and Mexico.

If you're looking to add native perennials to your garden, Agastache foeniculum, also known as Anise Hyssop, grows wild in the prairies of the United States and is cold tolerant. The varieties native to Texas and Mexico are annuals here in Connecticut, but make beautiful additions to summer containers and gardens.

Besides Hyssop, Agastache is also commonly known as Hummingbird Mint – if you plant this in your garden, the hummingbirds will thank you – and butterflies and bees as well. Both its flowers and foliage are aromatic – it can smell like mint, root beer or licorice, which keeps deer and rabbits away. The leaves of some varieties are used to make tea, jam or added to potourris.

Agastache is an easy care plant and a late season bloomer whose flower spikes bulk up as the season progresses. Regardless of whether the variety you choose is annual or perennial in your area, Agastaches like well-drained soil and full sun. Most cultivars generally grow 3-4' tall, but can be shorter or taller depending on the variety.

Leave the seed heads of perennial varieties throughout the winter for the birds (goldfinches love them) and prune them in mid spring, to about 6" from the ground. Pair Agastache with other plants that like the same conditions, such Milkweed, Ornamental Grasses, Yarrow, and Rosemary.

Agastache has it all – color, texture, fragrance, late-season bloom…Whether you choose an annual or perennial variety, this is a great plant to have in your garden.

For growing information on annual and perennial Agastache, visit our website.