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Agastache 'Black Adder'

Also Known As

Black Adder Anise Hyssop
Black Adder Hummingbird Mint
Black Adder Licorice Mint

Plant type

perennial, herb

size

H: 24"-36"
W: 18"-24"

planting zones

6b-9b

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Agastache 'Black Adder' plant details

Agastache 'Black Adder' is a broadleaf deciduous perennial herb with green foliage. In fall and summer blue and purple flowers emerge. Attracts bees, beneficial insects, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - low water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Agastache 'Black Adder'

Plant type: perennial herb
Plant family: lamiaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 18 IN - 24 IN - wide, 24 IN - 36 IN - tall
Flowers: blue and purple blooms in fall and summer
Uses: border plant, container plant, cottage garden, cutting garden, floriferous, fragrant, fragrant foliage, licorice-scented, long-blooming, rock garden, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Agastache 'Black Adder'

USDA Zones: 6b - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat and humidity
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Agastache 'Black Adder' has spikes of tubular, smokey-lilac flowers opening from darker purple buds for a striking bicolour effect atop 2-3 foot stems. The licorice-scented foliage and flowers are edible and good in salads. Excellent planted en masse in the perennial border or in the herb garden. Drought tolerant once established. Blooms from summer until frost. A hybrid between the North American A. foeniculum and the Asian A. rugosa. Deadhead spent flowers to promote additional bloom or shear after the first major flush of flowers.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Bees, hummingbirds and butterflies all flock to this upright, clump-forming 2-3' hybrid hummingbird mint. Famous for its long, summer-to-frost, display of tubular violet blooms, the showy flowers are densely packed to form the flower spikes. Blossoms emerge from nearly black buds, rising above anise scented blue green foliage. S/M-D

By: Forestfarm

A nectar-rich magnet for hummingbirds. Straight stems support the bottlebrushlike blooms from midsummer until frost. This splendid new introduction between Agastache rugosum and Agastache foeniculum brings late season color and a vertical element to the mixed border or to a favored pot, while wafting a sweet licorice smell and resisting those pesky deer.

By: Digging Dog Nursery

Hummingbirds, butterflies & bees oh my! 'Black Adder' will have all three partying it up in your garden with bountiful, deep violet-red blooms that emerge from dramatic black buds on showy 6-8" bottlebrush flower spikes mid-Summer through frost. Fabulous for late-season color! Fragrant, anise scented foliage keeps the deer at bay. To 2-3' high & 1.5-2' wide, it sports a lovely rounded form & doesn't mind hanging out in a container. The love child of A. rugosum and A. foeniculum, it's sterile, which means all of its energy is devoted to pumping out flowers. Good drainage. Megan - Plant Nerd

By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

A great Agastache with a name that sounds like it should be a character on Masterpiece Theater! 'Black Adder' prefers poor, well drained soil in a sunny locations...do you have these conditions? Dense spires of smokey violet blue cover the plant July-September, attracting zillions of butterflies and hummingbirds. I have also found that the cut flowers dry beautifully.

By: Avant Gardens

Rumors of deer resistance quickly vaults this plant into the "Most Desired" category of gardeners in Uptown or Marrowstone. We need to re-introduce wolves to Port Townsend. Lots of them. Smokey blue flowers mid summer to frost. Good drainage/drought tolerant/butterflies.

By: Far Reaches Farm

Garden photo gallery of Agastache 'Black Adder'

By: Karl Gercens III

By: Confessions of a Plant Geek

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By: Confessions of a Plant Geek

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Gardening facts about Agastache 'Black Adder' plant

How to Grow Agastache 'Black Adder'

Sun Exposure
- sun - mostly sun
Water Needs
- regular - low
Soil Needs
- adaptable
- average
- well-drained
- rich
Special Situation
- heat tolerant
- humidity tolerant

Features

Foliage Color
- green
Flower Color
- blue
- purple
Wildlife
- beneficial insects
- bees
- butterflies
- hummingbirds
- deer resistant
- rabbit resistant
Flower Season
- fall
- summer
Foliage Season
- deciduous