- Common name: Hummingbird mint
- Agastache spp.
- Zones 4 to 11
- Size: 1 to 5 feet tall
- Full sun
- Attracts: hummingbirds, bees and butterflies
Is hummingbird mint a perennial?
Unlike other members of the mint family, Hummingbird Mint is a wood-based perennial— meaning it retains a woody base at the end of its grow season. Hummingbird Mint also grows to be much bigger than other members of the mint family— with stalks reaching up to three feet tall, and the ability to spread into clumps that are up to five feet wide.
How do you grow hummingbird mint?
How to Grow Hummingbird Mint. Be sure to plant in fertile, well-drained soil. Wet soil in the winter will stress hummingbird mint and it might not come back strong the following spring. You can mix this plant in your container plantings with other annual or perennial pollinator plants or plant in the ground.
Is hummingbird mint a hyssop?
Hummingbird mint or giant hyssop is a perfect choice for gardeners to create a dramatic accent container planting, or hummingbird attractive mass of flowers. Hyssop grows anywhere from 1-4’ tall and 12-24” wide depending on the cultivar and variety so check labels carefully.
Is hummingbird mint the same as Agastache?
It’s no coincidence that a common name for agastache species is hummingbird mint. Hummingbirds visit the flower spikes in droves. Hummingbird mint is drought tolerant and thrives in well-draining moist to dry soils, where it grows up to 5 feet tall.
Does hummingbird mint come back every year?
In warm climates, it comes back consistently each year. In cold climates is self-sows readily making it an annual addition to your garden. The flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies and bees, while the anise-flavored leaves can be used in teas and cooking.
How wide does hummingbird mint get?
24" wide48-60" tall x 24" wide....2005 Plant of the Year.Associated SKUsHC016083 HC013925 (Plant - 5" Deep Pot) HC015644 (Tray of 9)Mature Spread24" wideBloom TimeMid summer to fallShips AsPotted PlantSoil TypeSandy Soil, Low Fertility Soil, Well-Drained Soil14 more rows
Is hummingbird mint invasive?
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade but best in full sun. Also tolerates drought, poor soils, summer heat and humidity. Plants in this genus are non-invasive in the garden.
How much sun does a hummingbird mint plant need?
full sunStart to care for your Blue Boa Hummingbird Mint by planting in full sun. It needs at least six hours of sun per day. Soil should be a coarse soil with impeccable drainage. In the first growing season water regularly.
Does hummingbird mint repel mosquitoes?
10: Texas Hummingbird Mint. The name of this plant advertises its other advantage besides pest control: Texas hummingbird mint also attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. This showy plant has tall spikes of rosy-pink flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds and a licorice-mint fragrance that repels mosquitoes.
Should hummingbird mint be cut back?
It is essential that you not cut back hummingbird mints in the fall. Leave the old stems from last summer's growing season on the plants. Nutrients from the stems help to feed the crown and fortify it against winter cold. Wait until mid-spring in your area (a month or so before last frost) to cut them back.
Does hummingbird mint smell like mint?
Its fine textured, gray-green foliage has a spicy licorice mint scent. -Agastache Acapulco Orange is a compact 18" by 18" plant that produces orange flowers on tall flower spikes. Acapulco Orange has a strong mint scent. -Agastache 'Blue Fortune' produces powder blue 5" flower spikes on a 36" tall plant.
How long does hummingbird mint live?
2 to 3 yearsThey will be fine for 2 to 3 years in a pot.
Does hummingbird mint attract bees?
Hummingbird Mint Varieties for Your Garden Its edible leaves and flowers have the fragrance and flavor of black licorice. Steep them for an aromatic cup of tea, or add them to salads and smoothies. This plant is a magnet for late season bumblebees, butterflies and other pollinators.
What grows well with hummingbird mint?
Companions: Other plants that prefer full sun and well-drained soil make good partners, for example: Milkweed (Asclepias), grasses (especially shorter varieties of Festuca), Yarrow (Achillea), Gaillardia, or Russian Sage (Perovskia).
What does hummingbird mint smell like?
Tango Hummingbird Mint's fiery orange, tubular flowers grow on spikes and lure honeybees, butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. The leaves have the strong aroma of licorice and may be used fresh or dried to flavor tea. The fragrant flowers bloom from midsummer to fall.
Does Tango hummingbird mint spread?
14” tall x 14-16” wide. 'Tango' Dwarf Hummingbird Mint (Agastache aurantiaca) is a compact and cold hardy selection of Agastache that thrives in ground beds and container gardens....Video.SKUHC017435Light RequirementsFull SunFlower ColorRed, OrangeMature Height14" tallMature Spread14-16" wide14 more rows
How do you grow Tango hummingbird mint?
Verified Reply - BradTango Hummingbird Mint ships in fall and should be planted in the flower garden upon receipt. Plant in full sun in well-drained, fertile soil. Remove any weeds near the planting site and dig a hole at least twice the diameter of the plant's pot and set at same level as the pot.
When should I prune my hummingbird mint?
Wait until mid-spring in your area (a month or so before last frost) to cut them back. Remove the old stems just above the tuft of green foliage growing from the crown. In mid-spring, prune Agastache by removing the old stems just above the tuft of green foliage growing from the crown.
Is Hummingbird Mint poisonous to dogs?
Toxicity. Mint species, including wild mint, spearmint and peppermint, are nontoxic to dogs, according to the Continental Kennel Club. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals warns that the only species of mint, in the genus Mentha, that is toxic to dogs is English pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium).
An Essential Guide to Hummingbird Bird Mint: Uses, Benefits, and Growing Tips at Home
When you hear Hummingbird Mint, you probably think of one particular plant—likely one with a tall stock of brightly colored blooms in purple, orange, or magenta. That’s because Hummingbird Mint (also known as hyssop or anise-hyssop) is a common name used to describe multiple species of flowering plants within the genus known as Agastache.
About Hummingbird Mint
Native to Eastern Asia and the Midwest and Great Plains regions of the U.S., the genus Agastache is thought to have first appeared nearly 25 million years ago on the Bering Land Bridge— hence why this plant appears in both Asia and North America.
Uses & Benefits of Hummingbird Mint
The many varieties of this colorful and aromatic plant have also been used in culinary and medicinal applications for thousands of years. Anise-hyssop ( A. foeniculum) was often used by the First Nation people of North America to treat things like indigestion and stomach pain, as well as colds, coughs, and even fever.
How to Grow & Care for Hummingbird Mint
Like many members of the mint clan, Hummingbird Mint is relatively easy to take care of. Although plant care will vary based on where you live and the kind of agastache you choose to grow, there are some general guidelines for the overall well-being of your plant. We’ll dive into those here.
The Final Word
If you’re looking to build a true pollinator garden, Hummingbird Mint is a great addition. Not only will these bright blooms add a cheerful splash of color to your landscape, but they can also be used for a variety of culinary and medicinal practices.
How long does a hummingbird mint bloom?
Using Agastache in an Eco-Friendly Garden Landscape. Agastache blooms for several weeks starting mid-summer and lasting well into the fall. Gardeners should plant hummingbird mint in well-drained soil or containers. In areas with overly wet winters gardeners will want to keep the crown of the plant slightly above ground level for better drainage.
How big does Hyssop grow?
Hyssop grows anywhere from 1-4’ tall and 12-24” wide depending on the cultivar and variety so check labels carefully. Most agastache plants will cross-pollinate readily so they will not come true from seed.
Agastache (Common names include Hummingbird Mint and Hyssop)
Ever heard of this perennial? It’s well loved by hummingbirds, as you might suspect from the name. In fact, it’s in the top 5 perennials to plant for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. You know what doesn’t love it? Deer! Yes, an easy to grow perennial that deer won’t mow down.
How to Grow Hummingbird Mint
Be sure to plant in fertile, well-drained soil. Wet soil in the winter will stress hummingbird mint and it might not come back strong the following spring. You can mix this plant in your container plantings with other annual or perennial pollinator plants or plant in the ground.
