Great Plant Pick: Agastache ‘Blackadder,’ giant hyssop, hummingbird mint

Published 1:30 am Friday, July 30, 2021

What: Agastache ‘Blackadder,’ also known as giant hyssop or hummingbird mint, features dark red-purple flower spikes peppered with tiny mauve blooms. These are a favorite of hummingbirds, butterflies and bees throughout the summer and early fall. The blue-green leaves are aromatic with an anise or licorice scent.

Where: This clumping perennial grows best in full sun and average to sandy soil, but it must be well-drained.

Size: “Blackadder” giant hyssop will grow to be 3 feet tall with a spread of 2 feet in 10 years.

Care: Occasional watering — every 10 to 14 days — will keep this plant fresh looking during dry periods.

— Richie Steffen,

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