Formal Landscape

Hummingbird Mint

Agastache

A genus of perennials that are part of the larger Lamiaceae family.
They prefer full sun on moist soil. Most species prefer 2 inches of stone or coarse sand mulch and a deep weekly watering during summer. Fertilize during autumn to encourage root growth and do not remove old stems until early spring as the new foliage emerges ( leaving the old stems tends to increase winter hardiness ). The worst enemy of this plant is soil that is poorly drained and wet during winter, especially clay - these conditions can be fatal. Where these conditions occur, it is better to use them in raised beds or planters.
May be prone to mildew and leaf spot though disease problems are generally rare and not serious, affecting mostly drought weakened plants. All species are generally deer and rabbit resistant.
Propagation is from seed, root division, stem tip cuttings taken during late summer or division during early spring. They often self seed though seedlings are usually removed since they are not as colorful as most of the named cultivars.

* photos taken on Sep 29 2013 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on Oct 1 2013 in Howard Co., MD

* videos found on internet




Agastache Ava
A long lived perennial, reaching up to 5 x 2 feet, that is the hybrid between Agastache barberi & A. cana. Plants take a few years to establish before reaching full size.
The aromatic foliage may be used to flavor tea.
The deep rosy-pink flowers are borne on huge spikes, up to 13 inches in length, from mid summer until autumn frosts.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in full sun to partial shade. Excellent drainage during winter is required.

Agastache aurantiaca

Coronado Red
A very attractive hybrid, reaching up to 2.5 x 1.5 feet with a very upright habit.
The intensely, mint-scented foliage is gray-green.
The deep orange turning to scarlet-red flowers are borne on showy spikes up to 15 inches in length, all summer long.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 ( tolerates - 5 F ) in full sun on very well drained soil. Great for containers.

Shades of Orange
Reaches up to 3 feet in height. Very showy flowers ranging from pale pinkish-orange to deep orange are borne on spikes lasting mid summer into early autumn.
The flowers attract hummingbirds.
Hardy zones 6 to 10 in full sun to partial shade on humus-rich, light, well drained soil. It thrives in the west and the east. Drought tolerant but prefers a weekly deep soaking during summer.

Agastache berberi ( Mountain Giant Hyssop )
Also called A. pallidiflolia. A perennial, native to mountains of the southwestern U.S.
The flowers are bright pink.

Agastache Blue Blazes
A vigorous hybrid between Agastache Desert Sunrise and A. foeniculatum, reaching up to 5 x 3 feet.
The intense lavender-purple flowers are borne continously on spikes from mid summer through autumn. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in full sun on very well drained soil. Pinch back during late spring to make plants more compact.

Agastache Blue Boa

* photo taken on Sep 23 2013 in Burtonsville, MD


Agastache cana ( Texas Hummingbird Mint )
A moderate growing, woody based, upright perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 3 feet, that is native to New Mexico and western Texas, where it is endangered.
The pointed oval to triangular leaves are blue-green and slightly downy.
The profuse, reddish-pink, tubular flowers are borne on spikes up to 12 inches in length, from early summer into early autumn.
The flowers are loved by hummingbirds.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun on fertile, very well drained soil.
Resistant to deer and rabbits. Deadhead old blooms to encourage repeat blooming. Cut back during late fall.

Heather Queen
Bright pink flowers.

Rosita
Very dense and compact, reaching up to 2 x 2.5 feet.
The fragrant, deep rosy-pink flowers are borne on very abundant, very dense spikes mid summer until autumn frosts.
Hardy zones 5 to 9

Agastache Desert Sunrise
A vigorous, sturdy perennial, reaching up to 4.5 x 2 feet, that is the hybrid between Agastache cana & A. rupestris.
The foliage is silvery-gray.
The very fragrant,reddish-pink flowers are borne on large spikes mid summer through autumn.
The flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in full sun on very well drained soil. Plant during spring only north of zone 8 to allow plants to harden off before first winter.

Agastache foeniculum ( Blue Giant Hyssop )
An upright perennial, reaching a maximum size of 5 x 2.5 feet, that is native to prairies of North America from Mackenzie to Ontario; south to Washington to Illinois.
The very aromatic, coarse, toothed, pointed oval to triangular leaves are up to 6 inches in length. The foliage is downy beneath.
The leaves are good for making a great soothing tea.
The pale violet-blue flowers are borne on dense cylindrical spikes from mid summer thru early autumn.
Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and honey bees. It is generally not eaten by deer but birds do like to eat the seeds.
Hardy zones 2 to 9 in full sun to partial shade on just about any well drained soil.

* photo of unknown internet source

* photos taken on Oct 22 2013 in Towson, MD

* video found on internet


Alba
Reaches up to 3 feet with bright green foliage.
The small white flowers are borne during mid summer.
Attracts butterflies.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in full sun.

Apricot Sunrise
Reaches up to 4 x 3 feet, with aromatic gray-green foliage and rich deep orange flowers borne early summer to early autumn.
Grows very fast during the first year, making it great for bedding and patio planters. It looks great planted in front of the deep purple Cotinus cultivars.
Hardy zones 6 to 9, requiring excellent winter drainage.

Big Bazooka
Upright in habit, reaching a maximum of 6 x 3 feet, with huge, fragrant, intense pink flower clusters.

Black Adder
Vigorous and bushy, reaching up to 4 x 4 feet.
The flower clusters, up to 7 inches in length, are borne mid summer to mid autumn.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun.

* photo taken on July 15 2013 in Harford Co., MD


Blue Fortune
Compact and upright in habit, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 4 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, with large, aromatic, green ( silver beneath ) foliage and lightly fragrant, soft violet-blue flowers borne on spikes up to 5 inches in length, over a long season from mid summer to early autumn. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Hardy zones 5 to 8, marginal in zone 4. Drought tolerant.
Thrives over a wide range including the hot humid east.

* photos taken on July 20 2011 in Columbia, MD




* photos taken on Aug 1 in Hyde Park, NY

* photos taken on Aug 20 2011 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD







* photos taken on Aug 29 2013 in Clarksville, MD


Firebird
Erect in habit, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 2 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, with deep rose-red flowers borne all summer long.

Fragrant Delight
Reaches a maximum height of 4 feet, with purplish-pink flowers.

Golden Jubilee
Vigorous in habit, reaching up to 4 x 4 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, with golden-yellow foliage.
The blue flowers are borne in bottlebrush-like spikes up to 3 inches in length during mid summer to autumn.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 on very well drained soil.

* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC


Pink Panther
Reaches a maximum size of 6 x 3 feet, with deep purplish-green foliage and intense rose-pink flowers borne on long spikes from late spring to mid autumn.
Grows very fast during the first year, making it great for bedding and patio planters.
Hardy zones 6 to 9, requiring excellent winter drainage.

Agastache Heatwave
A perennial, reaching up to 5 x 2.3 ( rarely over 3 ) feet.
The very profuse, lavender-pink flowers are borne early summer until autumn frost.
Hardy zones 6 to 8 ( 5 on protected sites ) in full sun on very well drained soil. Very heat as well as humidity tolerant.

Agastache Kudos Ambrosia

* photo taken on Aug 29 2013 in Clarksville, MD


Agastache Lilac Sprite

* photo taken on Sep 16 2013 in Columbia, MD


Agastache mexicana ( Mexican Giant Hyssop )
An upright perennial, reaching a maximum height of 5 ( usually half ) feet, that is native to Mexico. It is longer lived than most species of Agastache.
The ovate leaves, up to 2.5 inches in length, are deep green.
The young leaves can be used in herbal teas and are lemon scented.
The deep pinkish-red flowers are borne on spikes up to 12 inches in length, from spring to late autumn.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in full sun to partial shade on light, neutral to alkaline, well drained soil.

* video found on internet


Acapulco Orange
Long lived, fast growing and compact in habit, reaching up to 2 x 2 feet, with orange flowers borne over a long season from early summer until autumn frosts. Great for containers.
Hardy zones 5b to 9

Acapulco Salmon & Pink
A compact hybrid, reaching up to 2.5 feet x 15 inches.
The profuse, bicolor pink and orange, tubular flowers are borne mid summer to mid autumn.
Hardy zones 6 to 9.

* photo taken on Sep 16 2013 in Columbia, MD


Agastache micrantha ( White Giant Hyssop )
A perennial native from Arizona to Texas.
The flowers are white.

Agastache neomexicana ( New Mexico Hummingbird Mint )
A sturdy, stiffly upright perennial, reaching up to 2.5 x 1.5 feet, native to the southwest U.S.
The fragrant, bright pink flowers are borne on tight spikes during mid summer to early autumn.
Hardy zone 5 to 9 in full sun on very well drained soil.

Agastache nepetoides ( Yellow Giant Hyssop )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 8 x 3 feet, that is native to southern Canada and the eastern U.S. ( southern Ontario to southern Quebec south to Georgia )
The ovate leaves are up to 6 inches in length.
The greenish-yellow flowers are borne in clusters, up to 9 inches in length, during mid summer to early autumn.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in full sun to partial shade.

Agastache Orange Flare
A vigorous, sturdy hybrid cultivar ( Agastache rupestris x A. Desert Sunrise ), reaching up to 3 x 1.5 feet, that originated at High Country Gardens.
The very aromatic, fine textured foliage is gray.
The deep orange flowers are borne on large, full spikes from mid summer through autumn.
The flowers attract hummingbirds.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in full sun to partial shade on light, well drained soil.
Very easy to grow.

Agastache pallida ( Pale Giant Hyssop )
A perennial native to Arizona.
The flowers are bright pink.

Agastache pringlei ( Pringles Hummingbird Mint )
A perennial, reaching up to 4 feet in height, that is native to New Mexico.
The lavender-pink flowers are borne late summer into autumn.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 in full sun and very well drained soil.

Agastache Purple Haze
A perennial, reaching up to 3 x 3 feet, bearing long upright deep violet-blue flower spikes, up to 12 inches in length. The flowers are borne over a very long season from early summer to autumn frosts. Hardy zones 6 to 10 ( possibly 5 ) in full sun to partial shade on light, well drained soil. It is more moisture tolerant than most Agastache and thrives in much of the eastern U.S.

* photos taken on Aug 29 2013 in Clarksville, MD


Agastache rugosa ( Purple Giant Hyssop )
Also called Korean Mint. An erect perennial, reaching a maximum size of 5 x 2 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, that is native to Russia, China, Korea and Japan.
The aromatic, coarsely toothed, ovate leaves are up to 4.5 x 2.5 inches in size.
The foliage is hairy beneath.
The profuse, bluis-purple flowers are borne on attractive, compact, cylindrical spikes, up to 5 x 1 inches. The tubular flowers are borne early summer to early autumn.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in full sun to partial shade.
A herb considered extremely important in traditional Chinese medicine, this plant contains antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, anti-atherogenic, carminative and other properties.

Alabaster
Reaches up to 2 feet, with pure white flowers borne early summer into early autumn.

Honeybee White
Compact with white flowers.

Honeybee Blue
Compact with blue flowers.

Agastache rupestris ( Threadleaf Giant Hyssop )
A dense foliaged perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 4 feet, that is native to the southern Rockies from southern Arizona and New Mexico into northern Mexico.
The thread-like leaves are gray-green.
The profuse, mid-pink flower spikes are borne early summer to autumn frosts.
Hummingbirds love the flowers of this plant.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 on hot sunny sites on very well drained soil. Very drought tolerant.
Resistant to deer and rabbits.

* photo of unknown internet source

* video found on internet


Tutti Frutti
Upright in habit, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 3 feet, with multicolored, reddish-pink flowers.
The foliage is gray-green.

Agastache Summer Love
The vigorous hybrid between Agastache cana & A. pallidiflora; reaches up to 3 x 2 feet.
The foliage is bright green.
The red-purple flowers are borne on very abundant, dense, upright spikes up to 12 inches in length, from late spring into autumn.
The flowers are not scented.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 in full sun on well drained soil. Tolerant of hot humid summers as well as drought.

Agastache Summer Sunset

* photo taken on Sep 16 2013 in Columbia, MD

Agastache urticifolia ( Nettle-Leaf Giant Hyssop )
A perennial, native to the Rocky Mountains from Utah to Colorado.
The flowers are whitish to pale purple.