HomeAgastache rupestris 'Apache Sunset' is one of the best hummingbird flowers I've ever grown. The large, bushy plants have gray-green, licorice-scented leaves and tall stems of coral-orange, tubular flowers with purple calyxes. This first-year flowering perennial blooms in about 16 weeks from seed, so it can also be grown as an annual. Hardy in zones 5-10. Height 24", spacing 18".
Agastache Seeds
Agastache is a genus of perennial plants with fragrant foliage and colorful flowers that attract hummingbirds and other pollinators. Drought tolerant.
Sowing Agastache Seeds
Start agastache seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Barely cover the seeds with soil. Full sun.
Agastache aurantiaca 'Apricot Sprite' is a terrific hummingbird flower. It has silver-green, fragrant foliage and peachy-apricot, tubular flowers. It blooms continuously from June to September. Agastache 'Apricot Sprite' blooms the first year from seed, and it can be grown as an annual in containers. Hardy in zones 5-10. Height 18", spacing 18".
Agastache foeniculum is a native wildflower that blooms for a long time in summer with tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers that attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. The licorice-scented leaves make a tasty herbal tea. Other names include Agastache anisata, Anise Hyssop, Blue Giant Hyssop, Licorice Mint and Lavender Mint. Hardy in zones 5-10. Height 36", spacing 12".
Agastache rupestris 'Apache Sunset'
(Licorice Mint, Sunset Hyssop)
35 seeds $3.75
Agastache aurantiaca 'Apricot Sprite'
(Hummingbird Mint, Hyssop)
30 seeds $3.50
Image courtesy Thompson & Morgan
Agastache foeniculum
(Anise Hyssop)
600 seeds $3.00
Agastache 'Golden Jubilee' is a unique, gold-leaved hyssop. The tall stems are topped with lavender-blue flowers from midsummer to fall. This is the only seed-grown perennial that I know of with leaves of this color. It's useful for adding chartreuse foliage to container gardens. Best of all, it blooms the first year from seed. Deer resistant. Hardy in zones 5-10. Height 30". spacing 12".
Agastache rugosa 'Golden Jubilee'
(Hyssop)
50 seeds $4.00
Agastache cana x barberi 'Bolero'
(Texas Hummingbird Mint)
20 seeds $4.25
Agastache 'Bolero' is a first-year flowering perennial with brilliant rose-purple, tubular flowers with purple calyxes. The bronze foliage is nicely aromatic. It's a great choice for attracting hummingbirds, butterflies and beneficial insects. It grows well in containers. Introduced by Jelitto Perennial Seeds in 2011. Hardy in zones 5-10. Height 16", spacing 16".
Agastache rugosa 'Korean Zest' is compact and bushy with spikes of violet-blue flowers from July to September. It attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and beneficial insects. The licorice-mint flavored leaves can be used for teas and recipes that call for mint. Unlike the species, Korean Zest doesn't self-sow much. Hardy in zones 5-9. Height 30", spacing 18".
Agastache rugosa 'Korean Zest'
(Korean Mint)
100 seeds $3.50
Agastache rugosa
(Korean Mint)
1100 seeds $3.25
Agastache rugosa is a beautiful and useful perennial with tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers from July to September. It attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and beneficial insects. It also makes a good cut flower. The licorice-mint flavored leaves can be used for teas and recipes that call for mint. Self sows. Blooms the first year. Drought tolerant. Hardy in zones 5-9. Height 30", spacing 18".
