Agastache Plants, Varieties and Species

Agastache are a must buy for the dry garden, a clump forming perennial agastache will grow to 1m + and are a must for the border or cottage garden. Agastache flower from late spring though summer with masses of bottlebrush like flowers that are attractive to bees and birds. Agastache rugosa x foeniculum 'Blue Fortune' is one to look for.

Plant Profile and Growing Hints

A drought tolerant perennial plant that have great flowers, agastache are originally from the United States as well as some species from China, most garden species are from the US. Great plants for attracting bees, butterflys and birds, all love the tall flower spikes of Agastache.

Species and cultivars including A mexicana or Mexican Giant Hysop can be cut back after flowering to encourage a second flush of flowers. Pictured right is Agastache pallidiflora ssp neomexicana.

Some of the best species and cultivars include : Agastache rugosa (Korean Mint), Agastache Foeniculum (Anise Hyssop) and Agastache aurantiacus or 'Apricot Humming Bird Mint'. Agastache' blue fortune' which will reach over 1m. Agastache 'Sweet Lili' with its pink flowers will reach 70 - 90cm depending on conditions.

Species and varieties

Agastache 'blue fortune' is a long flowering cultivar with light blue flowers on tall spikes. A. 'Sweet Lili' has pink tubular flowers. Agastache aurantiaca has orange flowers. Agastache foeniculum or 'Blue giant hyssop' and Agastache rugosa or 'Korean Mint' are others to look for.

Agastache mexicana is a tall growing plant to 1.2m although sometimes shorter depending on soil and growing conditions. Also known as 'Mexican Hysop' this is a drought tolerant plant that has lovely deep pink flowers.

Flowering from mid summer through to autumn Agastache mexicana is attractive to birds and bees and is an easy to care for plant. A humus rich moist but well drained soil is best, however Agastache mexicana comes into its own during dry spells when it will happily keep going with very little water.

Lots of new cultivars are becoming available including Agastache mexicana 'Aztec Rose', taller growing than the species and with deeper pink flowers. Agastache mexicana 'Sangria' with its red flowers and Agastache mexicana 'Acapulco Orange' with amazing orange flowers. Not all are available in Australia however check with the listed nurseries for the latest releases.Look for Agastache mexicana 'Sangria'.