- Agastache; “Super Stars” of the Perennial World
- Agastache: “Super Stars” of the Perennial World – Part 2
Agastache Garden Combo
It’s no surprise that gardeners across the country are bringing Agastache plants into their gardens. Some of these new hybrids are worthwhile while others appear to not be anything really exciting. Never-the-less, I’m excited that this genus is becoming more widely grown.I think that there has been some sales hype and mis-information about growing the Agastache. Reading many garden website posts about the plants, it’s clear that this has created some unrealistic expectations among gardeners who are just starting to grow plants of this genus.
The key to growing great Agastache plants? It’s simple.
- provide a fast draining soil that’s naturally low in fertility,
- plant in full hot sun,
- don’t over amend their soil with too much rich compost,
- don’t over-fertilize your plant and
- resist the temptation to over-water established plants (new transplants need regular irrigation their first growing season to establish themselves).
For Agastache, too much of a good thing in the garden results in huge, over-grown plants with poor flowering or un-naturally elongated, sparse flower spikes. Often times these over-stimulated plants will fail to over winter.
Hummingbird Mints are naturally vigorous, fast growing perennial plants. Establish them with ample water the first growing season and fertilize moderately each fall with slow acting natural or organic fertilizers. But beyond that, apply “tough love.” When grown properly the plants will amaze you and come back much more reliably.
Recommended Hummingbird Mints (Hyssops) that will stand the test of time, Part 2
Agastache cana 'Rosita'
Tags: agastache, agastache ava, agastache cana rosita, agastache desert sunrise, agastache rupestris, perennial, perennials
What do I do with the plants after they are done blooming? Do I cut them back? How much? Do they return in the Spring from the root? Same questions for Yarrow and the Russian Sage. Thanks.
Do all species of Agastache like similar soil environments and water and sun conditions?
Kathy;
Agastache and yarrow should be deadheaded during the growing season to keep them looking tidy. If you have many types of Agastache they will re-seed somewhat, so deadheading will prevent this. Russian sage should be left standing until the spring, as it doesn’t stop blooming until hard frost in the fall.
All three should be cut back hard in mid-spring. Agastache form a mound of new growth in early spring and it is easy to see where the old stems should be cut. Yarrow should be cut to the ground. Russian Sage should be cut to a height of 6-12″.
Kathy:
In general Agastache like the same growing conditions; full to half day of sun, a lean (infertile soil) with fast drainage and not too much supplemental watering once established.
David,
I have a couple agastache plants that are planted in a southern exposure spot. They bloomed and bloomed so beautifully the first summer, but this year, they are large, putting out a lot of stems, but the blooms never materialize. I have other agastache in other parts of the garden and they are doing fine. I don’t think I have done anything different, but could this be from too much watering or could they be too crowded in this particular spot? Would it help to trim down or deadhead now (mid-September)? By the way, we are up in Taos, at 7300′. I have bought all my agastache from High Country Gardens and love these plants.
Thanks for any advice you may have.
Theresa,
I’m gratified to hear that you’re enjoying this wonderful group of perennials. Generally, these plants are very low care and flower dependably.
Regarding your 2 yr. large, non-blooming plants, this is most happens when the plants have been given too much nitrogen rich fertilizer or compost during the growing season. This causes lush, green growth with few flowers. Is it possible these plants were over fertilized?
Crowding are too much water doesn’t prevent flowering with these plants.
Don’t cut down the stems of the non-bloomers; wait until mid-spring. Watch the plants carefully during the growing season. If they lack vigor and/or don’t set flowers by mid-summer, you may want to replace the plants with fresh plants or volunteer seedlings that will invariably show up in your garden next spring.
A million thanks for selling an agastache that does well in the hot, humid southeast!! I live near Washington DC and am growing Agastache ‘Shades of Orange’ with great success!! I’ve met other devotees of your catalog at local garden centers and we’re always thrilled to find an HCG plant that doesn’t melt in our humidity. By ammending the soil with LOTS of growers grit or Perma Til, we can trick our local clay into draining fast enough to keep these beauties alive!! Bravo to you!!
Tammy:
Thanks for the feedback on Agastache ‘Shades of Orange’. It’s not a super cold hardy type here in New Mexico so it’s gratifying to know that it’s thriving in milder winter climate like DC. Glad to hear you’ve discovered an good way of creating fast drainage in your clay soil. Otherwise your ‘Shades of Orange’ wouldn’t be very happy.