Horticulture/Agastache

Giant Hyssops Agastache nepetoides.jpg Agastache Lamiaceae Herbaceous perennials Agastache, or Giant Hyssop, is a genus of 9–12 species of perennial herbs in the family Lamiaceae, native to eastern Asia (one species) and North America (the rest). Description Most species are very upright, 0.5–3 m tall, with stiff, angular stems clothed in toothed-edged, lance shaped leaves ranging from 1–15 cm long and 0.5–11 cm broad depending on the species. Upright spikes of tubular, two-lipped flowers develop at the stem tips in summer. The flowers are usually white, pink, mauve, or purple, with the bracts that back the flowers being of the same or a slightly contrasting color. Growing conditions They are easily grown in moist, well-drained soil and prefer a sunny position. Winter hardiness varies; the hardiest is A. foeniculum, hardy to USDA hardiness zone 1 in the north of its range; A. nepetoides, A. rugosa, A. scrophulariifolia and A. urticifolia are hardy to zones 3–5 in the northern parts of their ranges. Varieties Uses Maintenance Propagation Propagate from seed or cuttings. Harvest Pests and diseases Agastache is relatively free of pests and diseases, with the exception of powdery mildew, rust, and other fungal pathogens that can affect the leaves during hot, humid weather if air circulation is poor. References Germplasm Resources Information Network: Agastache Flora of China: Agastache Missouriplants: detailed description and photos of A. nepetoides The PLANTS Database: Agastache wrightii