How To Plant & Grow Agastache
Agastache are a showy, fragrant group of perennial herbs. The greatest concentration of Agastache species is found in the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico, so they are very successfully grown in a high desert climate. The remaining species found scattered across the U.S., Europe and Asia. Also called Hyssop or Hummingbird Mint, all Agastache have nectar rich flowers. The orange and pink-flowered Agastache are highly attractive to hummingbirds, while the blue-flowered Agastache are a favorite of butterflies and bees. If you grow Lavender and Penstemon successfully, you will enjoy growing Agastache as well.
Learn More: Agastache Introductions: Superstars Of The Perennial World
Watch: How To Plant Agastache
Planting
The key to growing the Agastache (Hummingbird Mints) is to find a hot, sunny planting site with quick draining soil of low fertility. Clay and rich, water-retentive loamy soils are a poor match for these plants. Agastache needs 'lean,' well-drained soils, and they prefer gravel mulches and appreciate deep but infrequent watering after their second growing season.
Learn More: How To Create Well-Drained Soil
Fall Care & Maintenance
It is essential that you not cut back hummingbird mints in the fall.To improve winter-hardiness, and encourage re-seeding, leave the stems intact over the winter. Nutrients from the stems help to feed the crown and fortify it against winter cold.
Don’t over-feed; a fall top dressing of compost and Yum Yum Mix is all they need to flourish. Too much high nitrogen fertilizers will shorten their lifespan and make the plants floppy.
Wait until mid-spring in your area (a month or so before last frost) to cut them back. In mid-spring, remove old stems just above the new foliage, about 4 or 5 inches above ground level.
Growing Agastache In Non-Western Regions
In zones 5 and 6, or areas of the country with cold, wet winters, plant on sunny south or west-facing slopes or in raised beds. The soil needs to be sandy, infertile and fast-draining. The plant's crown should be planted high and then mulched with crushed gravel to keep it drier during cold, wet weather. 'Blue Fortune' and Korean hyssop are best varieties for higher rainfall areas east of Mississippi.
Learn More: All About Agastache: Hummingbird Favorites For The Watwerwise Garden
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FlowerKisser® Arizona Snow Agastache (Agastache urticifolia 'Alba') is a pure white flowered form of mountain hyssop, selected for its exceptional cold hardiness and nectar-rich flo...
Learn MoreFlowerKisser™ Arizona Snow Agastache FlowerKisser™ Arizona Snow Hummingbird Mint (Hyssop) Agastache urticifolia Arizona Snow$12.99 Sale $12.34Sale Price I Save 5%Per Plant - 5" Deep PotFlowerKisser® Arizona Snow Agastache (Agastache urticifolia 'Alba') is a pure white flowered form of mountain hyssop, selected for its exceptional cold hardiness and nectar-rich flowers. Stunning flowers and fragrant foliage make this a must-have addition to attract native bees and butterflies. Its very upright growth habit make it a wonderful choice for the perennial border. Deer and rabbit resistant. A 2020 High Country Gardens Introduction.Learn More‘Korean Zest’ Agastache (Agastache rugosa), with its refreshing mint scented flowers and foliage, blooms all season and attracts an amazing number of bees and butterflies to its ...
Learn MoreKorean Zest Agastache Korean Zest Hummingbird Mint Agastache rugosa Korean Zest$12.99 Sale $11.69Sale Price I Save 10%Per Plant - 5" Deep Pot‘Korean Zest’ Agastache (Agastache rugosa), with its refreshing mint scented flowers and foliage, blooms all season and attracts an amazing number of bees and butterflies to its compact spikes of blue-violet flowers. Long-lasting blooms from late spring to early fall make ‘Korean Zest’ a "must have" perennial in the pollinator garden. Aromatic foliage makes Agastache deer and rabbit resistant. Also known as Hummingbird Mint or Hyssop.Learn MoreAgastache rupestris (Licorice Mint Hyssop) is one of the best, most durable species in the Agastache family. With smoky orange flowers held by lavender calyxes, the entire plant is s...
Learn MoreAgastache rupestris Licorice Hummingbird Mint (Sunset Hyssop) Agastache rupestrisAs low as $11.99 Sale $11.39Per Plant - 5" Deep PotAgastache rupestris (Licorice Mint Hyssop) is one of the best, most durable species in the Agastache family. With smoky orange flowers held by lavender calyxes, the entire plant is scented like licorice and mint. A 1996 High Country Gardens introduction. Drought resistant/drought tolerant perennial plant (xeric).Learn MoreAgastache Glowing Embers is a fantastic selection of Licorice Mint Hyssop (Hummingbird Mint) with fragrant foliage and glowing orange-red tubular flowers that are a favorite with hum...
Learn MoreGlowing Embers® Agastache Glowing Embers® Licorice Hummingbird Mint (Hyssop) Agastache rupestris Glowing Embers®As low as $10.49 Sale $9.97Per Plant - 5" Deep PotAgastache Glowing Embers is a fantastic selection of Licorice Mint Hyssop (Hummingbird Mint) with fragrant foliage and glowing orange-red tubular flowers that are a favorite with hummingbirds. Plant in containers to enjoy this plant in the eastern U.S. Exclusive. 24-26" tall x 24-28" wide.Learn More