Agastache (pronounced ah-gas-TAH-kee-whew!)

This perennial herb (also Sloat's plant pick of the month) is also called “Hummingbird Mint” or “Anise Hyssop”, the flower spikes not only attract hummingbirds but butterflies and bees too. The name ‘agan’ means very much, the ‘stache’ comes from ‘stachys’, meaning spikes. They have an upright growth habit with stiff angular stems, different species grow between 1 ½ feet to 4 feet tall. They are native to the southwestern US and northern Mexico. They need only moderate water once they’re established, after their second growing season. Agastache likes full sun and excellent drainage. You can also mulch around them with a fine gravel, the gravel will release a little extra heat at night for these sun-lovers.

All species are highly aromatic; some smell like anise or root beer, some like are sweet with a hint of lavender and some smell like bubblegum!

It makes a wonderful addition to the perennial border, blooming summer through fall, and will re-bloom is dead-headed. They bring a delicate texture that contrasts well with bold textures like sedum ‘Autumn Joy”, pennisetum rubrum, big dahlias, campanula medium, amaranth, Shasta daisies, Echinacea, euphorbias, salvia ‘East Friesland’, hemerocallis ‘Stella ‘Doro’ or ‘Green Flutter’. Blooms can be red, orange, pink, purple, or blue-ish.

They are hardy if you leave the stems on over winter to absorb any frost damage. In mid-spring cut the dead stems off to about 4”-5” above ground level. Fertilize half strength with Maxsea All-Purpose in the spring.

In the fall fertilize with EB Stone’s all Purpose Organic Food. Divide these plants in the fall.