Buy Mexican giant hyssop Agastache 'Blue Fortune'

Agastache 'Blue Fortune'

Mexican giant hyssop

Hyssops are great for adding vertical accents to a border, with whorls of long-lasting, tiny flowers arranged like a bottlebrush and pointed, aromatic fresh green leaves that are attractive to butterflies and bees.

They can be short-lived though, and may need replacing every few years, especially after a cold or wet winter, so best to replace older plants and keep some self-seeders for a succession of colour. Agastache 'Blue Fortune' has loose spires of lilac-blue flowers from June to October and peppermint-scented leaves.

This upright, bushy perennial is perfect for the middle of a sheltered, sunny border. Try it as part of a Mediterranean scheme, with grey-leaved plants, or among ornamental grasses.

How to care for Agastache Blue Fortune:

Plant in a well-prepared bed, lightly conditioned with well-rotted compost or manure.

Keep cutting the old stems out to encourage repeat flowers through the summer. Once the flowering period is over, resist the temptation to cut back the faded flower-stems until early spring, as they provide interest in the winter months.

Once established, lift and divide congested clumps in spring. Protect roots during the winter with a thick layer of organic mulch around the root zone.

Flowering period:

Eventual height:

Eventual spread:

0.4m

Position:

Full sun

Rate of growth:

Average

Soil:

Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil

Hardiness:

Borderline hardy (will need protection in winter in colder areas)

This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.