Agastache Species, Rock Anise-Hyssop, Hummingbird Mint

Agastacherupestris

Family
Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Agastache (ah-gas-TAH-kee)
Species
rupestris (rue-PES-tris)
Synonym
Brittonastrum lanceolatum
Brittonastrum rupestre
Cedronella rupestris
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
This plant is resistant to deer
Shiny/Glossy
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Coral/Apricot
Red-Orange
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Blooms repeatedly
Other Details
Category
Herbs
Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Bronze
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are good for cutting
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Chino Valley, Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

Concord, California

Knights Landing, California

Redding, California

Richmond, California

San Jose, California

Aurora, Colorado

Denver, Colorado(2 reports)

Dolores, Colorado

Washington, District of Columbia

Cape Coral, Florida

Land O' Lakes, Florida

Lula, Georgia

Itasca, Illinois

Des Moines, Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

Pacific Junction, Iowa

Hebron, Kentucky

Prospect, Kentucky

Ellicott City, Maryland

Boston, Massachusetts

Dracut, Massachusetts

Roslindale, Massachusetts

Topsfield, Massachusetts

Horton, Michigan

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hudson, New Hampshire

Kingston, New Hampshire

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Tijeras, New Mexico

La Fayette, New York

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Bend, Oregon

Hermiston, Oregon

Molalla, Oregon

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Northampton, Pennsylvania

Austin, Texas

Cibolo, Texas

Spring Branch, Texas

Sugar Land, Texas

Temple, Texas

Salt Lake City, Utah

Santaquin, Utah

Herndon, Virginia

Leesburg, Virginia

Radford, Virginia

Woodbridge, Virginia

Kalama, Washington

Seattle, Washington

Pewaukee, Wisconsin

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

12
positives
3
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
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W
Lula, GA | July 2010 | positive

Three Sunset Hyssops went into the ground last autumn. At this moment the tallest is taller than I! I'm 5' 5.5"; it's 5' 8", including ...Read More

L
Milan, MI | July 2010 | neutral

Jackson, Michigan, zone 5. This is a beautiful airy plant for informal and xeriscape gardens. I grow it from seed. It is very easy to ...Read More

T
Leesburg, FL (Zone 9b) | September 2008 | positive

I love this little plant. I grew it by seed [Winter Sowing Method] and it did bloom the first year. The plants are still quite small [m...Read More

C
Broomfield, CO (Zone 5b) | June 2008 | positive

From your friends at Botanical Interests: Agastache rupestris, also known as Licorice Mint, is a Southwestern U.S. native. Hummingbirds, ...Read More

S
S
(Zone 8b) | July 2007 | positive

This is absolutely my favourite agastache. Very aromatic ..licorice..it smells after a candy that we, in Netherlands, call 'dropjes'.. It...Read More

R
Northampton, PA | July 2007 | positive

Does not like wet winters...I use gravel as mulch rather than wood mulches since our winters tend to be wet. The grouping I have planted...Read More

K
Albuquerque, NM (Zone 7a) | May 2007 | positive

This plant grows from the roots each spring to 2-3 feet tall in my heavy clay soil. It's not fussy, doesn't need much water, and can tol...Read More

B
(Zone 7a) | January 2007 | positive

We really enjoyed a grouping that revolved around this particular agastache in summer of 2006, so am sharing it here -

The...Read More

M
Hebron, KY | November 2006 | positive

Love any and all Agastaches! They are the best summer flower in the garden! Long blooming, smells great, looks beautiful and attracts H...Read More

R
Sultan, WA (Zone 8a) | October 2006 | positive

Prefers lean, well drain soil. Very fin foliage. Smells remarkably like root beer! It is very pleasant to brush against this plant whi...Read More

D
South Strafford, VT | March 2006 | neutral

I purchased 3 small plants from High Country Gardens in the spring of 2004, and planted them in a hot dry sunny bed in zone 5a. They have...Read More

C
Brookeville, MD (Zone 7a) | May 2005 | positive

This plant has everything going for it, yummy smell, gorgeous flowers and a hummingbird/butterfly attracter to boot.

It lo...Read More

L
Ogden, UT (Zone 5b) | January 2005 | positive

Agastache rupestris grows quickly from seed, and it's terrific for attracting hummingbirds.

K
Tijeras, NM | May 2004 | positive

Live in mountains of New Mexico at 7000', annual rainfall about 10". Several specimens throughout garden, full sun to part-sun. Water 2...Read More

P
Westbrook, ME (Zone 5a) | March 2002 | neutral

Sunset hyssop is a wonderful plant to attract hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden. Plants grow up to 2-feet tall and produce spike...Read More

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