Tip #5: Hummingbird Mint (Agastache spp.)
Hummingbird Mint, commonly referred to as giant hyssop or agastache, is a drought-tolerant perennial powerhouse renowned for its long-lasting floral display and fragrant herbal foliage. Native to the American Southwest and Mexico, species such as Agastache rupestris and Agastache cana produce upright spires packed with tubular flowers in dazzling shades of sunset orange, dusty rose, lavender, and electric peach. The foliage emits a pleasant aroma of licorice and mint when brushed, acting as a natural deterrent against browsing deer and rabbits.
Agastache is widely considered one of the best hummingbird garden flowers because it continues producing nectar during extreme heat when other perennials languish. The hundreds of individual florets covering each stem open sequentially over several weeks, providing a reliable food source from June until the first killing frost. Hummingbirds hover persistently around agastache clumps, methodically visiting every blossom on a spike before moving to the next.
Success with hummingbird mint requires full sun and sharply draining soil. These plants despise wet feet, particularly during cold winter months; heavy clay soils often lead to root rot. If you garden in heavy clay, plant agastache in raised garden beds or incorporate coarse grit and gravel into planting holes to ensure fast drainage. Water moderately while plants establish, then reduce frequency, as mature agastache thrives on lean conditions and minimal irrigation. Shear plants back by one-third in midsummer to encourage a vigorous late-season flush of branches and flowers.
