Agastache, also known as giant hyssop or hummingbird mint, is a genus of bushy, flowering perennials that suit a variety of garden styles, particularly cottage gardens. If you’re hoping to attract hummingbirds to your yard, adding some agastache plants can help.
With new varieties introduced each year, it can be challenging to choose the right one. Consider your garden space and preferred color palette, as these plants thrive both in garden beds and containers.
Let’s take a closer look at 9 beautiful and versatile varieties of hummingbird mint for your garden.
About Agastache
Agastache is a perennial that often goes underappreciated, despite its popularity. It’s versatile, easy to grow, and perfect for almost any garden. Known for its tall spikes of tubular flowers and aromatic foliage, agastache is native to North America, where it originally grew as a wildflower.
There are several reasons why this plant is a great garden addition. It attracts a wide variety of pollinators, especially hummingbirds. Once established, it’s low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and an excellent choice for xeriscaping. Agastache is also highly resistant to pests and diseases, including deer and other garden pests.
‘Apricot Sprite’
‘Apricot Sprite’ is a vibrant choice for any garden. This variety produces bright peachy-orange flowers atop mounds of aromatic green foliage. It blooms late in the summer and into fall, offering a colorful addition to your autumn garden. To extend its blooming period, deadheading is recommended.
‘Bolero’
‘Bolero’ is a bushy variety with stunning purple-pink flower spikes that contrast beautifully with its bronze-green aromatic leaves. This agastache blooms for several weeks, and removing spent blooms will encourage new flowers. It pairs well with coneflowers and salvia, making it a bold and attractive choice for gardens or containers.
‘Kudos Ambrosia’
‘Kudos Ambrosia’ is a charming perennial that blooms from early summer into fall, producing a blend of cream, peach, and pink flowers. Its dense blooms and aromatic foliage make it a great addition to full-sun gardens. It complements white-flowering plants like daisies, where its unique colors can stand out.
‘Morello’
‘Morello’ is more tolerant of cold winters than many other agastache varieties. Its deep reddish-pink flowers bloom for weeks, standing out against the plant’s deep green, licorice-scented foliage. ‘Morello’ is ideal for brightening up areas with darker plants or raised beds.
‘Poquito™ Butter Yellow’
This dwarf agastache variety is perfect for small garden spaces. ‘Poquito™ Butter Yellow’ blooms in a soft yellow and grows to just about a foot tall. With fine aromatic foliage, it’s a low-maintenance choice, making it great for gardens frequented by wildlife or for gardeners looking for hardy plants. In 2019, this variety won the Classic City Award for its growth, bloom power, and resistance to pests and diseases.
‘Raspberry Summer’
‘Raspberry Summer’ is a striking agastache variety with raspberry-pink flower stalks. The tubular blooms rise above bright green, ovate, or lance-shaped leaves that exude a classic minty scent. Growing up to three feet tall, this variety begins to bloom in summer and continues through the fall. Deadheading is recommended to prolong its blooming period.
This variety works beautifully in perennial beds or containers. Known for its resistance to rabbits and deer, ‘Raspberry Summer’ can be planted freely without concern. For a vibrant display, try planting it along walkways or in front of evergreen shrubs for a pop of color.
‘Summer Glow’
‘Summer Glow’ is a showy and compact agastache variety that grows up to two feet tall. Its unique two-tone flowers feature deep red calyces and light, buttery yellow tubular blooms. The deep green foliage has a licorice aroma, making it a bit different from the typical mint scent.
To keep ‘Summer Glow’ blooming throughout the season, be sure to deadhead spent flower spikes, encouraging a fresh round of blossoms. This variety looks beautiful in flower beds, especially when planted in large groups around patios or along sunny walkways.
‘Summer Sky’
For purple flower enthusiasts, ‘Summer Sky’ is a fantastic choice. Its periwinkle-purple tubular flowers are enhanced by deeper purple calyces, creating extra contrast and color. The aromatic foliage complements the blooms and stays attractive throughout the summer.
‘Summer Sky’ is a great option for adding vertical interest to a garden. It works well when planted in mass, and pairs beautifully with orange flowers like cosmos, creating a stunning contrast with its purple blooms.
‘Summer Sunset’
‘Summer Sunset’ is a captivating agastache variety that blooms in various shades of orange, from soft peach to vibrant orange. The flowers rise above a mound of aromatic, rounded leaves and continue to bloom throughout the summer.
This variety is well-suited for containers or perennial beds, and it’s especially stunning when planted in mass along patios or walkways, where its vibrant colors can be appreciated all season long.
Final Thoughts
Once you’ve chosen the ideal agastache variety for your garden, you’ll be ready to enjoy these beautiful plants with minimal effort. Select a variety that thrives in your climate to ensure longevity. Not only will these flowers brighten your garden, but they will also attract pollinators, making your space more lively and dynamic!
