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Agastache rupestris

Also Known As

Licorice Mint
Sunset Hyssop
Threadleaf Giant Hyssop

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 16"-24"
W: 16"-18"

planting zones

4a-10b

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Agastache rupestris plant details

Agastache rupestris is a broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial with blue and green foliage. In fall and summer orange flowers emerge. Attracts bees, beneficial insects, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average, gritty, lean and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Agastache rupestris

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: lamiaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen blue and green
Mature size: 16 IN - 18 IN - wide, 16 IN - 24 IN - tall
Flowers: orange blooms in fall and summer
Uses: border plant, fragrant, root-beer-scented, threadleaf, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Agastache rupestris

USDA Zones: 4a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat
Soil needs: average, gritty, lean and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Agastache rupestris or sunset hyssop has great foliage which is narrow and grey-green creating a textured, bushy mass from which arise the pale apricot-orange tubular flowers held by purple-pink calyces. The fragrant foliage also smells a little bit like root-beer! Beloved by hummingbirds. Plant in hot, sunny, dry locations especially with good winter drainage.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

If you are looking to make points with your local hummingbirds, this hyssop is for you. Aromatic grey leaves and creamsicle orange flowers make it a fabulous, full sun garden or container plant. Flowers from late springthrough summer. Pinch to side branches to promote re-bloom. Perennial to about 2 ft tall x a foot wide. Little summer water and well drained soil. Cold hardy to upper USDA zone 5

By: Cistus Nursery

Agastache rupestris, or Sunset Hyssop, is a very durable and drought tolerant perennial that brings an explosion of color to the garden. Spikes of orange flowers with lavender calyxes bloom above this mounding, herbaceous perennial with finely textured, licorice scented, grey-green foliage. A hummingbird magnet! Grows in any well-drained soil with low to moderate water. Provides long last color to mixed borders or containers. Remove spent flowers to encourage continuous bloom.

By: Little Prince of Oregon

One of the most beautiful agastaches, a tall plant (2-3 feet) with fine-textured, fragrant (some say of liquorish, though to me it just smells like... agastache) silvery foliage topped in late summer with masses of gorgeous orange-ish flowers. Like all the tall agastaches, will need to be staked unless you have very lean, dry, soil. Good drainage is also key to good winter hardiness. Zone 5, perhaps even 4 in very dry climates. ? Joseph

By: Arrowhead Alpines

This uncommon Chinese Hyssop has 3-4"spikes of small rose-violet flowers atop 1-3' stems of fragrant foliage. Sun/Med

By: Forestfarm

Bold brushes of sunset-orange flowers from August to frost. Native to high mountains of the Southwest, the whole plant exudes a rich, root beer aroma. An exotic contribution to water-smart gardens or perennial borders. Perennial. Xeriscape. Ordinary to poor soil. USDA zones 4b-10 (up to 7,000').

By: Plant Select®

I really like Agastaches ("Hyssop" of "Licorice Mint") but alas, they too often peter out after only one season. This really beautiful Southwestern Agastache does not! It makes a perfect bushy form about 2' tall by 2' wide and blooms mid-Summer thru fall with a multitude of apricot and pinky-purple spikes. The foliage is also extremely ornamental and fragrant with thread-like grey-green leaves, giving the entire plant a soft, wispy look. The nectar rich flowers are much loved by hummingbirds! It prefers a not too rich, well-drained soil. A 1997 Plant Select winner.

By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Don't cruise by the species without giving them thought. Given good drainage and a sunny spot this orange flowered species is a trouper 16 x 16 inches.

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

Garden photo gallery of Agastache rupestris

Photo of Agastache rupestris flower by Mulchmaid

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By: Mulchmaid

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Photo of Agastache rupestris flower, foliage, form by Atilin

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By: Atilin

This work has been released into the public domain by its author.

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Photo of Agastache rupestris flower by Charlie McDonald USDA

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By: Charlie McDonald USDA

This work has been released into the public domain by its author.

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By: Charlie McDonald USDA

This work has been released into the public domain by its author.

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Photo of Agastache rupestris flower, form by Panayoti Kelaidis

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By: Panayoti Kelaidis

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Photo of Agastache rupestris flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

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By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

By: Plant Select®

By: Confessions of a Plant Geek

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Photo of Agastache rupestris flower by Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

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By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

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Photo of Agastache rupestris foliage, form by Little Prince of Oregon

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By: Little Prince of Oregon

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By: Little Prince of Oregon

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Gardening facts about Agastache rupestris plant

How to Grow Agastache rupestris

Sun Exposure
- sun
Water Needs
- occasional - drought tolerant
Soil Needs
- average
- lean
- well-drained
- gritty
Special Situation
- heat tolerant

Features

Foliage Color
- green
- blue
Flower Color
- orange
Wildlife
- beneficial insects
- bees
- butterflies
- hummingbirds
- deer resistant
- rabbit resistant
Flower Season
- fall
- summer
Foliage Season
- semi-evergreen