I Add Pizzazz to Pollinator Gardens

Perennial Of The Week: Agastache/Anise Hyssop

Bolster the attractiveness of your pollinator garden with colorful Agastache. Gardeners flock to this sun-loving perennial for its prolific, spiky blooms and the licorice-scented leaves that give Agastache the alternate name Anise Hyssop. Hummingbirds, American Goldfinches, bees, and butterflies also find Agastache an inviting treat.

Deer-resistant and drought tolerant, Agastache will do best in well-drained, average soil. While many hybrid varieties are sterile and will not produce seed, seeding varieties of Agastache provide textural interest in the autumn and winter. If you opt to leave yours uncut, remember to trim it next spring.

Pronounced numerous ways, Agastache is Greek for “many spikes,” a vivid description of this plant’s blooming habit.

Agastache’s long-lasting blooms range from white to pink, mauve, and purple. Rohsler’s Grown varieties include the self-descriptive Blue Fortune, Rosie Posie, Purple Haze, and Blue Boa. Just look for the terra cotta pots with the Rohsler’s Grown logo.

Throughout history, Agastache has also been prized by the culinary community. The plant is used as a tisane, its petals lend flavor to jellies, and its seeds are used in cookies. You won’t need to do anything more than use Agastache as a focal point in your pollinator garden. We think you’ll love it – and we know the local pollinators will be grateful for the buffet!