Sunset Hyssop Agastache rupestris
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ag-ah-STA-kee ru-PES-tris
- Description
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Sunset hyssop is a perennial in the mint (Lamiaceae) family that is native to the southwest USA and is found on cool mountain slopes. It will grow 1-3 feet tall and 1-1.5 feet wide. The Genus name comes from the Greek words agan meaning "very much" and stachys meaning "ear of wheat" in reference to the flower spikes. The species name, rupestris, means living on a cliff. The common name sunset hyssop refers to the color of the flowers.
The long-lasting blooms on this compact plant attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Its foliage is licorice-scented, which is great to deter deer. This plant, once established, is drought tolerant. The bloom season extends from summer into fall. Sunset hyssop does best in a drier climate and may have problems in high-humidity areas.
Plant in sandy to rocky soils with very good drainage or in a pot or raised bed. This plant will not survive the winter in wet heavy soils. Deadheading the plant after the initial blooms will often encourage a fall blooming period.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems but will develop root rot in too-wet soils. Watch for rust, powdery mildew and leaf spots.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Agastache
- Species:
- rupestris
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SW USA
- Distribution:
- AZ & NM on cool mountain slopes 5000' to 7000' elevation
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts hummingbirds, bees and butterflies; deters deer
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- deer, drought
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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:
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Capsule with 4 nutlets
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Burnt orange tubular 2-lipped flowers with purplish calyxes on a 10-12 inch spike. Blooms all summer. Deadhead for a fall repeat bloom.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are narrow, gray-green, lance to linear shape with a licorice scent. They are up to 2 inches long and narrow.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Square green stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
