Agastache (native species & cultivars)
As with all Agastaches, this one brings in all the pollinators from summer to early fall, and supports beneficial insects and songbirds over winter with its seedheads.
Place these in full sun and sharply-draining soils. With this genus, err on the side of mulching much less than usual - anything more than a very light mulch may hold too much water and lead to waterlogged roots and winter injury. Extend the blooming period by deadheading throughout the growing season.
Companion plants include mid-sized ornamental grasses - especially the Schizachyrium "Blue Heaven" or Panicum "Shenandoah" - both also native to the same tall-grass midwest prairies as Agastache foeniculum; tall perennials like Echinacea, Liatris, and Monarda; and other sun-loving perennials like Yarrow (Achillea), Coreopsis, native Columbine (Aquilegia), Showy fleabane (Erigeron), and modest-sized ornamental grasses (Pennisetum & Miscanthus). or ornamental grasses that thrive in sharp drainage.
Agastaches must have well-drained soils, and they do best in a lean soil (even OK in gravelly soils!); they do not like clay soils, nor highly amended soils. Do not cut these back before winter; leaving the stems intact provides more winter hardiness. Remove new growth in early to mid spring for more flowering stems and a more compact plant.
Water deeply but infrequently for the first two growing seasons, cutting back as the plants mature; they should require no water once established (depending on the vagaries of our changing climate).
Native species
Agastache foeniculum (Lavender Licorice-mint): This licorice-mint is beloved for the abundant lavender to blue-violet "bottlebrush" flower spikes that attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators in mid- to late-summer. Each flower spike is robust: 3-6 in. long, and densely packed with small tubular flowers. The licorice-scented leaves are gray-green, heart-shaped, lightly fuzzy, and resist deer and rabbits. Give this Agastache a little space, as it will grow 2-4 ft. high with a very upright form, and spread out 2-3 ft. wide.
Cultivars
Agastache aurantiaca ‘Navajo Sunset’ (Navajo Sunset Hummingbird Mind): This ‘Navajo Sunset’ Hummingbird-mint provides an incredible scent to your sunny landscape. If you can, plant it near a pathway or by an entrance to enjoy the rich minty-citrus fragrance as you walk by. This variety features apricot-orange tubular flowers that cover the tops of the bushy grey-green lacy foliage, and bloom for many weeks from mid- to late-summer through early fall. Plants reach 18-36 in. tall x 12-30 in. wide, making them flexible for many parts of a sunny perennial/low shrub border.
Agastache 'Blue Boa' (Blue Boa Hummingbird Mint): Loved for the exceptionally long bloom time of its stiff, deep violet-blue bottlebrush flowers (deadhead for additional blooms!) and fragrant "licorice mint" foliage. A medium-height Agastache, this cultivar grows 2-3 ft. tall x ~12-18 in. wide. Plant in a sunny spot with good drainage; avoid over watering while establishing — these are very drought tolerant and a little dryness promotes stronger stem growth.
Agastache 'Blue Fortune' (Blue Fortune Hummingbird Mint): This hummingbird mint is an outstanding selection loved for the exceptionally long bloom time of its soft true-blue bottlebrush flowers and fragrant "licorice mint" foliage. A medium-height Agastache, this cultivar grows 2-3 ft. tall x ~18-24 in. wide.
Agastache 'Poquito Lavender' (Dwarf Hummingbird Mint): Prized for both its large spikes of lavender-purple flowers that are highly attractive to pollinators; and its aromatic foliage, which is a lovely shade of green-gray and releases a pleasant scent when touched. The strong smell and taste also repels deer and rabbits. Its compact bushy growth, long season of bloom, large flowers, and tolerance to heat and drought make it an excellent addition to the garden. As an herbaceous perennial, it is a compact plant, growing to a height of just 12-18 inches, making it perfect for small gardens, sunny borders, rock gardens and containers.
Agastache rugosa 'Little Adder' (Little Adder Hummingbird Mint): A rare compact Hummingbird Mint! This perennial grows only 15-18 in. high by 18-22 in. wide in full sun and dry soil with excellent drainage. It"s reported to be half the size of its larger Agastache cousins "Blue Fortune" and "Black Adder", but three times as floriferous! The lavender/purple/blue spiky flowers add long-lasting late-season color to the garden, and its short stature works well in front of borders or along pathways.
As with all Agastaches, this one brings in all the pollinators from summer to early fall, and supports beneficial insects and songbirds over winter with its seedheads.
Place these in full sun and sharply-draining soils. With this genus, err on the side of mulching much less than usual - anything more than a very light mulch may hold too much water and lead to waterlogged roots and winter injury. Extend the blooming period by deadheading throughout the growing season.
Companion plants include mid-sized ornamental grasses - especially the Schizachyrium "Blue Heaven" or Panicum "Shenandoah" - both also native to the same tall-grass midwest prairies as Agastache foeniculum; tall perennials like Echinacea, Liatris, and Monarda; and other sun-loving perennials like Yarrow (Achillea), Coreopsis, native Columbine (Aquilegia), Showy fleabane (Erigeron), and modest-sized ornamental grasses (Pennisetum & Miscanthus). or ornamental grasses that thrive in sharp drainage.
Agastaches must have well-drained soils, and they do best in a lean soil (even OK in gravelly soils!); they do not like clay soils, nor highly amended soils. Do not cut these back before winter; leaving the stems intact provides more winter hardiness. Remove new growth in early to mid spring for more flowering stems and a more compact plant.
Water deeply but infrequently for the first two growing seasons, cutting back as the plants mature; they should require no water once established (depending on the vagaries of our changing climate).
Native species
Agastache foeniculum (Lavender Licorice-mint): This licorice-mint is beloved for the abundant lavender to blue-violet "bottlebrush" flower spikes that attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators in mid- to late-summer. Each flower spike is robust: 3-6 in. long, and densely packed with small tubular flowers. The licorice-scented leaves are gray-green, heart-shaped, lightly fuzzy, and resist deer and rabbits. Give this Agastache a little space, as it will grow 2-4 ft. high with a very upright form, and spread out 2-3 ft. wide.
Cultivars
Agastache aurantiaca ‘Navajo Sunset’ (Navajo Sunset Hummingbird Mind): This ‘Navajo Sunset’ Hummingbird-mint provides an incredible scent to your sunny landscape. If you can, plant it near a pathway or by an entrance to enjoy the rich minty-citrus fragrance as you walk by. This variety features apricot-orange tubular flowers that cover the tops of the bushy grey-green lacy foliage, and bloom for many weeks from mid- to late-summer through early fall. Plants reach 18-36 in. tall x 12-30 in. wide, making them flexible for many parts of a sunny perennial/low shrub border.
Agastache 'Blue Boa' (Blue Boa Hummingbird Mint): Loved for the exceptionally long bloom time of its stiff, deep violet-blue bottlebrush flowers (deadhead for additional blooms!) and fragrant "licorice mint" foliage. A medium-height Agastache, this cultivar grows 2-3 ft. tall x ~12-18 in. wide. Plant in a sunny spot with good drainage; avoid over watering while establishing — these are very drought tolerant and a little dryness promotes stronger stem growth.
Agastache 'Blue Fortune' (Blue Fortune Hummingbird Mint): This hummingbird mint is an outstanding selection loved for the exceptionally long bloom time of its soft true-blue bottlebrush flowers and fragrant "licorice mint" foliage. A medium-height Agastache, this cultivar grows 2-3 ft. tall x ~18-24 in. wide.
Agastache 'Poquito Lavender' (Dwarf Hummingbird Mint): Prized for both its large spikes of lavender-purple flowers that are highly attractive to pollinators; and its aromatic foliage, which is a lovely shade of green-gray and releases a pleasant scent when touched. The strong smell and taste also repels deer and rabbits. Its compact bushy growth, long season of bloom, large flowers, and tolerance to heat and drought make it an excellent addition to the garden. As an herbaceous perennial, it is a compact plant, growing to a height of just 12-18 inches, making it perfect for small gardens, sunny borders, rock gardens and containers.
Agastache rugosa 'Little Adder' (Little Adder Hummingbird Mint): A rare compact Hummingbird Mint! This perennial grows only 15-18 in. high by 18-22 in. wide in full sun and dry soil with excellent drainage. It"s reported to be half the size of its larger Agastache cousins "Blue Fortune" and "Black Adder", but three times as floriferous! The lavender/purple/blue spiky flowers add long-lasting late-season color to the garden, and its short stature works well in front of borders or along pathways.