I would like to add a couple agastaches to my hummer garden next year. One will be tutti frutti and maybe a rupestris for the other. I have a couple sun-related questions.

1. Obviously, I want nice full plants loaded with blooms. The spot I'd like to put the tutti frutti gets some sun, but not nearly as much as I'm sure the plant would want. How little sun can I get away with?

2. Would I be able to grow a healthy, bloom-laden rupestris behind a black and blue salvia? The area gets several hours of sun, but I'm thinking the b&b may block too much of the sun from reaching the agastache's leaves.

Zone 5a
East-central Iowa

One of my Agastaches is in dorect sun until about 2 in the afternoon and is loaded with blooms/ I have ome Tutti frutti that is partially blocked by my Black and Blue and it would do better if it wasn't near the Black and Blue. Rupestris stays much shorter than Tutti Frutti and would be thwarted by the Black & Blue. I would put it on the side of or in front of the black & blue. The first year it may only get about 2-2 1/2 ft. tall but Blanck & blue can grow 3-5 ft. tall in one season.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

"The first year it(rupestris) may only get about 2-2 1/2 ft. tall..."

You say it stays much shorter than tutti frutti so can I assume it only gets a bit taller in future years and won't exceed three feet?

Zone 5a
East-central Iowa

Dan,

I have some seen some two to three year old agastache Rupestris growing in NJ and they are on the shorter side compared to other agastaches.

Suchie

Dan,
Yes, as a general rule, A. rupestris will not get nearly as tall as A. cana Tutti Frutti. My newly purchased Tutti Frutti topped out at about 4ft already this year. The cutting out back that started out at about 6-8 inches tall this spring is a little under 3 ft. tall right now. Both A. Rupestris that are mature returning plants are under 3 ft. In some areas of the southwest A. Rupestris might get a little bigger but I think overall it will stay around 3 ft.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Dan,

I can concur that Rupestris is short and stocky. I have it in the front of my beds. 3ft by 3ft seems about right. I have Tutti Frutti in its second year that is almost 6 feet tall! THAT may look nice close to a B&B, preferably behind it. Agastache's definitely like it hot and dry, although they will grow nicely in a slightly moister soil. I would think half day sun at a minimum.

Pam NJ 6B

If I had less than a half day sun I would not grow Agastaches, but stay with tried and true plants like Salvia subrotunda and coccinea and a selection of spring bloom perennials like Coral Bells & the native Columbine, and perhaps Coral Honeysuckle. Agastaches also like a little space around them so air can flow.

We have an 'Agastache area' that is in full sun most of the day and has excellent drainage---this is key for agastache as this plant doesn't like wet feet. Morning sun is most important for any plant to grow well, especially in the northern states. Agastache can take hot sun, dry soil, and very lean soil (if your soil is too heavy amend with organic matter and even add some gravel or sand to lighten things up). Like Ward suggested, good air circulation is key for this plant, so don't pack the plants in too tightly.

I would definitely put the Salvia guarantica 'Black and Blue' (although it doesn't grow as tall as Salvia guarantica 'Blue Brazilian Sage') in the back of any agastache, especially if you not in the desert southwest.



Kathi and Michael Rock
Madison, Wisconsin
Zone 4/5

The key is to match up the conditions with the plants, something we all have trouble with when our fingers get itching in spring. I grow Agastaches with Salvia greggii and microphylla because they need roughly the same culture. Other plants for these conditions are Lavender, Brazilian Verbena and Gaillardia which attract butterflies.