AGASTACHE. A small group of sage allies, native primarily to the Southwest and Mexico. They form compact basal clumps with toothed, often aromatic leaves. Their slender stems rise in summer and fall, displaying many sage-like blossoms in interrupted spikes. The flowers open in succession, often extending the show over many weeks. These are rugged, easily grown perennials, useful in borders and informal mixed plantings. They delight in full sun, well drained soil, and moderate to infrequent watering when established. Hardiness varies, though all of the following should endure short bouts of 15oF or less.
cana. This recent addition is a southwestern native, suckering at the base and producing many 2' stems. The leaves are dark, narrow, toothed and pleasantly aromatic. Many narrowly tubular flowers, reddish purple in the current form received from Plants of the Southwest, are carried on slender stems in summer and fall.
mexicana. I first knew and grew this species in the late ‘70s as Brittonastrum mexicanum, when gardeners were less enthusiastic about the sages and their kin. It has narrow, greyish leaves and 2-6’ stems with clusters of rather large (1" or more), rose pink blossoms crowded near the tips.
When obliging pollinators combine this species with others, the results can be spectacular. Ginny Hunt has brought us seeds from mixed plantings in her garden, and these have yielded plants from under 3’ to over 5’ in height, with large bright green to grey-green, variously scented leaves and flowers whose shades include deep purplish pinks and orange-reds as well as the commoner shades. Nearly all are beautiful. Reselections from the first seedling batches will be offered in 2002.
rupestris. This Southwestern native has long been one of my favorites. Recently I was delighted to find it available from Plants of the Southwest. It is one of the smaller agastaches, usually 2’ or less in height and well branched. Both stems and leaves are slender and quite grey. Smallish clusters of reddish orange blossoms develop at the shoot tips throughout the summer months. It needs particularly well drained soil but is an ideal perennial for neglected banks.
‘Summer Breeze’.
A beautiful chance
hybrid, selected by Ginny Hunt. One parent, A. rupestris, is fairly certain;
the other may be A. mexicana (see above). It has dark grey green, sweetly
aromatic foliage and stems up to 3' tall, which wave gracefully with the slightest
breeze. These are topped by clusters of large, lavender pink blossoms.
‘Tangerine Dreams’.
This is the latest addition to the “mint menagerie”, selected by Ginny
Hunt. Many stems, each 2-3' tall, rise from a compact clump. They carry a wealth
of orange flowers, larger and darker in color than those of the better-known
‘Apricot Sunrise’.
urticifolia ‘Sierra Beauty’. I do not expect this mountain native to hit the Top Ten list soon, but is is pretty in a subtle way. It makes many 2' stems from the base, each lined by pairs of rather broad, toothed 2" leaves. The congested flower clusters are continuously produced from late spring to fall. Flowers are a little under 1/2" long, white with a purple calyx. It comes from moist habitats and will need more watering than the rest.
