Posted by Brent Wilson on 6/27/2016 to
Planting & Growing Tips
Agastache, commonly called Anise Hyssop or Hummingbird Mint, is very easy to grow when planted right and in the right spot.
Here's a breakdown of what you need to know...
Soil
Agastache will grow well in soil most any well-drained soils. Whether growing in garden beds or pots, good soil drainage is essential. To ensure proper drainage in heavy clay soil it is best to plant Agastache in a raised bed or mound in which the clay has been amended with bagged top soil.
Soil pH
Agastache grow and flower best in a mildly acid to slightly alkaline soil ranging between 6.0 to 7.5 on the pH scale. Most average garden soils fall between a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
Testing Soil pH Soil pH is a measurement of the alkalinity or acidity of soil and is measured on a scale of 1-14, with 7 as the neutral mark. Any measurement below 7 indicates acid soil conditions, and anything above 7 indicates alkaline. If you're unsure about the pH of your soil, or whether or not it's suitable for growing Agastache, it's a good idea to test the soil pH in the planting area. You can quickly test soil pH with an inexpensive soil pH tester probe. To raise the pH (make more alkaline) you can add pelletized limestone to the soil. To lower the pH (make more acid) you can apply Soil Sulfur, Aluminum Sulfate, or Chelated Iron. Adding organic compost to the soil or using compost as mulch can also help to increase acidity and maintain acid soil conditions.
Learn More: What is Soil pH and How To Adjust It?
Light Needs
Simply put, Agastache will appreciate all the sunlight you can give them. That said, they will tolerate some light shade. too much shade and plant will become floppy and not bloom as well.
Planting Agastache In Garden Beds
(Scroll down for advice on planting Agastache in containers and pots)
Step 1
Start by digging your planting hole at least two to three times as wide and no deeper than the rootball. The wider the hole the better. Place native soil removed from planting hole around the perimeter of the hole, in a wheel barrow, or on a tarp.
Step 2
Depending on the type and porosity of the soil in the planting area you might need to amend the native soil. Well drained soil is a must. When planting in dense clay it is beneficial to thoroughly mix in some bagged top soil and/or sand at a 50/50 ratio with the clay soil to create a mound that will improve and ensure drainage. When planting in very sandy, quick-draining soil consider mixing in some top soil, peat moss and/or compost to help retain some moisture. When planting in fertile, loamy, well-drained soil there is no need for adding a soil amendment.
Step 3
To remove your Agastache plant from the container it was growing in, grasp the base of the plant with your finger tips and try to very gently lift and remove it from its container. Be careful not to damage your plant when removing it from its container. If the rootball is stuck in the container it's best to cut the container away. After having removed the plant from the container, use your finger tips to gently loosen some feeder roots around the surface of the rootball.
Step 4
Set your plant in the planting hole so that the top edge of the rootball is at or slightly above ground level.
Step 5
After setting your plant in the planting hole, use one hand to hold the plant straight and your other hand to begin back-filling your soil mixture around the root ball, tamping as you go to remove air pockets. When you have filled the hole to the halfway point you can soak the soil. Then continue back-filling to the top edge of the rootball.
Step 6
Next, deeply water the planting area, including the root ball, to a depth equal to the height of the root ball. Alternatively, for an extra boost to stimulate early root formation and stronger root development, you can water you newly planted Agastache with a solution of Root Stimulator, which reduces transplant shock and promotes greener, more vigorous plants.
Step 7
Spread a 1/2-inch layer of shredded or chipped wood mulch or pine straw around the planting area to conserve moisture and to suppress weed growth. As the mulch decomposes it will add vital nutrients to the soil that your plants will appreciate. Avoid using freshly chipped or shredded wood for mulch until it has cured in a pile for at least 6 months, a year is better. Also avoid placing or piling mulch directly against the base of your plant as this could cause the stem to rot.
Planting Agastache in a Container
When growing in pots, Agastache appreciates a moist but well-drained soil. Therefore we recommend a pot with drainage holes and filling it with a professional potting mix.
Make sure to choose a container that is large enough to allow for 2 to 3 years of growth before shifting up to a larger size container. This might mean your planting pot would be 6 inches or more in width than the root ball of your plant. If you will be planting other plants in the same container with your Agastache up the size of the container.
Container color will matter as well. Not only will you want to pick a color of container that goes well with the foliage and flower colors of your Agastache, you'll also want to pick a container that matches the style of your home or other structures and other plants in the surrounding environment.
Many nursery & garden centers offer a wide variety of containers to choose from. Before heading out to buy a container take pictures of your home and the surrounding environment. Doing so will help you to choose just the right color and style.
Container Planting Instructions
Step 1
Before filling your container with the soil mix, we recommend lining the bottom with shade cloth or a porous landscape fabric. This will keep the drain holes from becoming stopped up with soil.
Step 2
To remove your Agastache plant from the container it was growing in, grasp the base of the plant with your finger tips and try to very gently lift and remove it from its container. Be careful not to damage your plant when removing it from its container. If the rootball is stuck in the container it's best to cut the container away. After having removed the plant from the container, use your finger tips to gently loosen some feeder roots around the surface of the rootball.
Step 3
Pour a small amount of your soil mix in the bottom of the container. Set the plant in your container and make necessary adjustments by adding or removing some soil so that the top edge of the root ball will sit 1/2" to 1" below the rim of the container.
Step 4
Backfill with your potting soil around root ball, tamping as you go, until the level of potting soil is even with the top edge of root ball.
Step 5
Water thoroughly until water starts to drain from the holes in the bottom of the container. Add more potting mix if settling occurs during watering.
Step 6 (Optional)
Apply a 1/2" layer of wood chips or sphagnum moss to soil surface to help conserve moisture.
Plant Long & Prosper!