Description
Agastache
There are about 30 species of perennials, in this genus. They are native to dry often-hilly habitants in China, Japan, and North America. Most are very upright with stiff angular stems clothed in toothed edges. It bears lance shaped leaves ½-6” long depending species. They can grow any where from 6”-6’ feet tall. On upright stem tip bear long lasting spikes of tubular, 2-lipped flowers from mid summer to autumn. Flowers are usually white, pink, mauve, or purple with bracts that back the flowers being the same or slightly contrasting in color.
Easily grown in moist well-drained fertile soil and prefers sunny position. Most will tolerant occasional frost down to 20 degree Fahrenheit.
Prone to mildew, rusts, downy mildew, and are very attractive to insects.
Agastache cana – Hummingbird’s Mint – Mosquito plant – Wild Hyssop – This erect perennial grows 2-3’ feet tall and 18” wide derives New Mexico and West Texas. It bears egg shaped to oval ½-1 ½” long leaves which give off a bubble gum or camphor (repels insects) scent when leaves are crushed. In late summer to autumn it bears loose tubular spikes 12” long of dark pink to rose purple. Very attractive to hummingbirds.
Zones 5-10
