The basic care guidelines you need to remember for your Blue Fortune Agastache are the following:
- Water: The Blue Fortune Agastache needs at least weekly watering, or more in extreme heat, preferably with regular water.
- Light: Keep your Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ in an environment where it can receive partial to full sun on a daily basis.
- Soil: Make sure to keep the Blue Fortune Agastache in from moist but well-drained to well drained soil, made from clay, loam, chalk and sand.
Full Answer
Should you cut back Agastache?
Herbaceous plants do best if trimmed back in early spring just as new growth is about to appear. Anise hyssop can also be deadheaded and shaped lightly from spring until mid-summer. Suspend any trimming thereafter, as it may force tender, new growth that can be damaged when cool weather appears.
Does Agastache come back every year?
Agastache (aka Anise Hyssop) is a tender perennial with aromatic leaves and colorful flower spikes all summer long. While traditional varieties have blue or purple colored flowers, newer varieties feature bold colors such as red and orange. In warm climates, it comes back consistently each year.
Do you cut back Agastache winter?
Agastache comes through winter best if you do NOT cut back. Cut back to about 4” in spring. Most Agastache self seed readily, so deadhead to prevent reseeding.
How many years do Agastache live?
I especially love Agastache, large-flowered Rudbeckia, Gaillardia, and Delphinium. Unfortunately, they only live two or three years for me. I thought perennials could live forever.
How do you prepare Agastache for the winter?
Agastache is an herbaceous perennial plant that will die back to the ground in fall. Cut back dormant stems to half their height to protect from winter winds. In late winter or early spring, cut the remaining stems back to the ground before plants break dormancy.
Do slugs eat Agastache?
Agastache. As I said anything with aromatic foliage is always a good choice as a slug resistant plant.
Does Agastache spread?
Once established, agastache will spread fairly vigorously in the garden. It can be divided yearly or as needed. Agastache seeds need cold stratification to grow, so the best method is to direct sow them in the garden in the fall, so they are exposed to the winter cold temperatures.
What month do you prune mint?
1:145:26How to Prune Mint to Keep it Healthy & Root Mint from ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBack right before the winter hits. And that way it comes back with fresh new leaves in the spring.MoreBack right before the winter hits. And that way it comes back with fresh new leaves in the spring.
Is Agastache a long lived perennial?
Anise hyssop, Agastache foeniculum, is a short-lived herbaceous perennial with blue flowers and fragrant foliage that can be used as an ornamental or in the herb garden.
Can you overwater Agastache?
Dry to average, well-drained soils are fine for these plants although heavy soils and/or overwatering can be the “kiss of death” for these VERY tender (for us!) perennials.
What is the hardiest Agastache?
Agastache 'Blue Fortune' rugosa, this robust nonstop bloomer is probably the hardiest Agastache and one of the best butterfly feeding stations in the garden. Its fat, five-inch-long spikes of powder-blue flowers perch atop three-foot stems.
How tall does Agastache get?
More varieties for Hyssop It bears foot-long spikes of purplish-pink blooms throughout the summer on plants that grow 3-4 feet tall.
Is Agastache a long lived perennial?
Anise hyssop, Agastache foeniculum, is a short-lived herbaceous perennial with blue flowers and fragrant foliage that can be used as an ornamental or in the herb garden.
Will Agastache rebloom if cut back?
Cutting back spent flower spikes will encourage reblooming and more growth during the bloom season.
Will my mint plant come back after winter?
Mint is frost tolerant. It usually dies back in the winter but comes back in spring. Because mint tends to take over, many gardeners plant mint in a small pot and then plant that pot in the ground or inside a larger container.
Do mint come back year after year?
Is Mint a Perennial or Annual? Mint is a hardy perennial that is one of the first to arrive each spring. It also grows year-round in warmer climates; no dormancy period is needed. Mint thrives in both cool and warm climates, and it also retains its potency of flavor over the years.
Basic Hummingbird Mint Care
Hummingbird mint needs regular watering during its first year in the garden. Keep the soil evenly moist and don't allow it to dry out completely until the plant is established. Mature agastache plants need to be watered every seven to 14 days, depending on the soil type and weather.
Pruning Hummingbird Mint
Hummingbird mint needs regular pruning to improve its appearance as it changes throughout the growing season. Snip off the spent flowers, which will help encourage further blooming. Cut back the entire plant to just above ground level in autumn after the plants go dormant or after the stems are killed off by frost, recommends Utah State.
Dividing Hummingbird Mint
Even the healthiest hummingbird mint plant will eventually lose its vigor and need to be divided. Dividing is typically needed every three to five years when a plant begins to decline and lose its vitality, which shows as a decrease in growth and blooming. It is a simple process that is best done in spring or early autumn in mild-winter climates.
What Is Agastache?
Agastache ( Agastache spp.) is what’s known as a tender or short-lived perennial. In colder climates, it may only last 1-3 years, but it self-sows readily and will keep popping up for many, many years.
What is the name of the hummingbird mint?
To make matters confusing, agastache goes by many other names, including hyssop, anise hyssop, giant hyssop, and hummingbird mint. It is, however, a completely different plant than both hyssop ( Hyssopus officinalis) and anise ( Pimpinella anisum ), although it does belong to the mint family.
What is the best herb to grow in a garden?
Here are some top choices to consider: Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) – Anise hyssop is a popular species and the most commonly grown as an herb garden plant. The leaves smell like licorice and can be used to make various herbal remedies. Flowers are lavender and grow in spikes that get up to 4 feet tall.
How tall does Agastache grow?
However, it’s a highly ornamental plant while also being incredibly low maintenance and beneficial for pollinators. On average, plants grow about 2-4 feet tall, although some compact cultivars only get about a foot tall.
What are some reasons to plant agastache?
As you can see, there are so many reasons to add the versatile and tough agastache to your garden. Once you plant a few, you might find yourself hooked. Local bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and songbirds will also appreciate your efforts!
Why do agastache seeds need to go through stratification?
Like many other perennials, agastache seeds need to go through a process called stratification in order to help them germinate. This just means that you’re going to mimic the cold temperatures of winter to weaken the seed coat so water can get through.
Is Agastache a pollinator?
Agastache is an excellent plant for pollinator gardens, naturalized areas, butterfly gardens, and wildflower meadows. As a native plant, it provides both nectar and food for a lot of local wildlife. Some of the smaller varieties can be grown in large pots as part of a container garden.
How to grow agastache?
On heavier soils, add a good layer of horticultural grit to the base of the planting hole, to aid drainage. Then plant agastache at the same depth it was in the pot you bought or grew it in. Firm the soil around the rootball and water well.
How to protect a sage plant from frost?
Protect the plant from frost using fleece or dig up the rootball and move it indoors for winter . In spring, tidy up spent stems and pinch out the growing tips to promote bushy growth.
Where does agastache foeniculum grow?
Anise hyssop, Agastache foeniculum, is a tender, drought-tolerant perennial native to the plains and prairies of North America. It has aromatic leaves and colourful flower spikes beloved of bees and other pollinators. Its fragrant leaves can be dried and used to make a delicious tea. Originally, agastache flowers were blue or purple, but newer cultivars now bloom in a range of different colours, including pink, white, red and orange.
When to transplant agastache seedlings?
Alternatively, as agastache self-seeds readily, transplant seedlings from around the parent plant, in spring. Bear in mind that these seedlings may not be true to the leaf and flower colour form of the parent plant.
Is anise hyssop related to hyssop?
Despite its name, anise hyssop is only distantly related to hyssop ( Hyssopus officinalis) and mint ( Mentha spp.). While they’re all in the same Lamiaceae family, Hyssop is a small genus of herbaceous or semi-woody plants native to the Mediterranean and central Asia, while Mentha is a genus of fragrant herbs. Lamiaceae is often referred to as the ‘mint family’.
Is Agastache foeniculum a hybrid?
As well as Agastache foeniculum, there are various hybrids and cultivars available, with different degrees of har diness. These include Mexican agastache ( Agastache mexicana ), mountain giant hyssop ( Agastache pallidiflora) and Agastache aurantiaca. Many flower in different colours and vary in height and spread.
Can Agastache be raised from seed?
Agastache can be raised from seed or propagated from existing plants by division.
How to divide a hyssop plant?
Discard any older or weakly growing parts of the clump, cutting these away from healthy areas with a sharp knife that you clean between cuts with rubbing alcohol. Replant the healthy divisions immediately, adding some compost to the soil and watering them in well . If your area experiences long spells of sub-freezing temperatures during winter, you can also wait until early spring to make new divisions, but do so before you see signs that the plant has broken dormancy, such as new shoots or small green leaves.
What is an anise hyssop?
The flowers of an anise hyssop plant. Agastache plants (Agastache spp.), also called hyssops or hummingbird mints, have strongly scented foliage and attractive flowers. They're generally tough, easy-to-grow plants that withstand winter cold well.
How to keep hyssop plants alive in winter?
Adding a protective layer of organic mulch during the winter also helps a hyssop plant survive the cold, but if the ground in your area freezes during winter, wait until several frosts have occurred. Mulching too early can keep the soil warm, allowing the plant to start growing again when it should stay dormant and conserve energy for the next spring, and new growth might freeze and jeopardize the plant's survival. If you spread mulch too early, this can also keep moisture in the soil and encourage root rot, which can lessen the plant's ability to grow in spring. When spring does arrive, remove the mulch gradually as you see new growth appear.
How to grow hyssop?
As blooming ends, cut off dry flowers to keeps the plant looking tidy. If you grow more than one variety of hyssop, they could cross-pollinate and produce plants different from either parent, but removing spent flowers also prevents self-seeding. Use sharp shears, disinfecting the blades with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol between cuts to prevent spread of disease. Keep the plant well-watered from late summer into fall , to allow roots to take up water needed to produce nutrients for storage. Aim for about 1 inch of water weekly, including rain. Don't fertilize the plant late in fall because this stimulates tender new growth that's easily harmed by cold.
What is the plant hardiness zone for anise hyssop?
The group includes anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 10, Korean hyssop (Agastache rugosa), which grows in USDA zones 5 through 9, and "Blue Fortune" hyssop (Agastache "Blue Fortune"), which is a hybrid of these two species that grows in USDA zones 5 through 10. ...
When is the best time to divide a hyssop plant?
If you've been growing hyssop plants for several years and they've started to decline, fall is a good time to divide a hyssop clump to make new plants. Once foliage is dry and the plant has stopped growing, use a fork or spade to dig up the clump, preserving as many healthy looking, solid and thick roots as possible.
How to keep a sage plant alive?
Use sharp she ars, disinfecting the blades with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol between cuts to prevent spread of disease. Keep the plant well-watered from late summer into fall, to allow roots to take up water needed to produce nutrients for storage. Aim for about 1 inch of water weekly, including rain.
What is anise hyssop?
Agastache (aka Anise Hyssop) is a tender perennial with aromatic leaves and colorful flower spikes all summer long.While traditional varieties have blue or purple colored flowers, newer varieties feature bold colors such as red and orange. In warm climates, it comes back consistently each year.
How to stop agateach from rotting?
Since Agastache loves well-drained soil, wet, clay soils and areas with lots of winter rains can cause bacteria and fungal growth to rot the plant crown. Prevention is best to stop this rotting. Grow plants on sandy loam soils or build raised beds and bring in the appropriate soil for best growth. ...
How to fertilize Agastache?
Fertilizing: Amend the soil before planting Agastache with compost. Additional fertilizer usually isn't needed. In fact, too much fertility will cause the plant to flower less and later, and reduce the essential oils in the leaves and flowers. It also can cause the stems to become floppy and fall over more easily.
How long can Agastache go without water?
Keep the soil moist for germination and seedling growth. Once mature, these mint family plants are tough and can go weeks without watering.
What color is mango tango?
As vivid as a summer sunset, luminescent 'Mango Tango' Hyssop features peach-pink flower spires accented by rose-colored calyxes in a tidy, compact form. Perfect for planters and ga...
How to keep an agateche from sowing?
If growing Agastache as an annual, keep trimming and deadheading as needed. If you want to prevent Agastache from sowing seeds, which it does rampantly, deadhead before the flower stalks turn brown and the seeds mature and drop to the ground.
How to grow Agastache?
Soil: Agastache grows best on fertile, well-drained soils. It likes a soil close to neutral and in areas with acidic soils will benefit from the addition of lime. Spacing: Plant Agastache seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before a last frost date. Move plants outdoors when the transplants are at least 4 inches tall.
What is the best zone for Agastache?
Members of the Agastache family are perennials. They are versatile and mostly quite hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 10. In addition to being low-maintenance perennials, Agastaches are coveted by gardeners because they attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Several balms, mints and hyssops are members of the Agastache family. Winter care for these plants in Hardiness Zones 5 through10 is nearly as simple as care during the growing season. Unless your area gets very cold in the winter, the less you do, the better off your plants will be.
Do agates need sun?
Agastaches thrive in full sun to partial shade. Soil should be poor or average for them to do their best. Agastaches also tolerate drought reasonably well. Small applications of fertilizer once a year are good, but do not overdo it. Agastaches do best when left to their own devices. After you have planted them, walk away and let the hummingbirds and butterflies do their jobs. Agastaches are self-seeding, although you can also propagate additional plants by division if you prefer.
Do agastaches like to be fertilized?
Like many plants, Agastaches do not like to be fertilized or watered at this time.
How tall does Agastache grow?
This easy to grow herb gets woody square stems and may grow up to 3 feet (1 m.) tall. It needs no special attention and is, in fact, fairly self-maintaining once established. Light trimming will keep the plant looking its best. In this article, we will discuss when and how to prune Agastache for the best results and a healthy plant.
What is an agate hyssop?
Image by fotomem. Agastache, or anise hyssop, is an aromatic, culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal herb. It has a long history of use and provides a splash of the deepest blue across the perennial garden. Anise hyssop also adds a light licorice scent to the garden patch. This easy to grow herb gets woody square stems and may grow up to 3 feet (1 m.) ...
How to deadhead anise hyssop?
To deadhead anise hyssop, simply cut off the dead flowering stems. If you wish to force new growth and shape the plant, cut back up to 1/3 of the woody material. Make cuts at a slight angle to force moisture away from the stem. Remove plant material just above a viable bud node.
Does pruning anise hyssop help?
It just depends upon what kind of landscape you like to maintain. Pruning anise hyssop will enhance its appearance, force new compact growth, and may increase blooms if deadheaded.
Does anise hyssop die in winter?
In most regions of North America, anise hyssop will brown and die back for winter. You may choose to leave it just as it is with the addition of a bit more mulch around the root zone, and no harm will come to this hardy plant.
Can anise hyssop be cut back?
Pruning anise hyssop when it is young in early spring will help force a bushier plant. Cutting back anise hyssop in late winter will allow the fresh new stems to come up unimpeded. The plant can also do quite well without any trimming but if you choose to cut, know when to prune Agastache for the most effective maintenance experience.