Hummingbird Mint Agastache 'Blue Fortune'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Hummingbird Mint:
- Phonetic Spelling
- ag-ah-STA-kee
- Description
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'Blue Fortune' is a hybrid giant hyssop in the mint family (Lamiaceae). Parentage is A. foeniculum x A. rugosa.
It will grow 2-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soils. It is tolerant of dry soils and heat once established but it will not tolerate heavy clay or poorly draining soils. It will do well in a raised bed, container or on a slope to help increase drainage. it is a good choice for the southeast gardener as it tolerates humidity better than some hyssops.
Blooms are showy and fragrant spikes of lavender-blue flowers appearing from summer through fall and will be covered in pollinators all day. Deadhead flowers to promote more bloom. Crushed foliage has a minty aroma.
Mass plant in a perennial border, along a walkway or near a patio to enjoy the minty-licorice fragrance. It also works well in a cottage garden, butterfly garden or cutting garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Leaf spot, powdery mildew, and rust are occasional problems. Poorly drained soils will lead to crown rot.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Pollinator Garden in Full Sun Pollinator Garden in Partial Shade HOA Butterfly Garden in Brunswick County Vegetable Garden with Pollinator Plants in Mt. Pleasant
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Agastache
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Leaves can be used in teas or potpourri
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, birds, and bees.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Edibility:
- Leaves are used to flavor cold drinks.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit dries and splots to reveal seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tiny lavender blue two-lipped tubular flowers packed in in a spike of 2'-4' tall in rounded whorls. Fragrant, showy and long-lasting.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Good Dried
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Gray-green, opposite, ovate lanceolate, hairy leaves below with serrate margins, licorice scent. Leaves used in tea or potpourri.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Description:
- Stiff square stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Rabbits
