Agastache 'Blue Fortune'

Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

Common Name: Hyssop-Anise

One of the easiest and most rewarding perennials to grow! The award winning 'Blue Fortune' is a tremendously long bloomer that produces lavender blue, bottlebrush-like flowers on strong, upright stems from midsummer to early fall. It is useful for adding a spot of color to the garden late in the season when many other plants are finished. Its foliage smells distinctly like black licorice when crushed, thus its common name, Anise Hyssop.

'Blue Fortune' resulted from a cross between A. rugosa and A. foeniculum. It was bred and selected by Gert Fortgens of the Arboretum Trompenberg in Rotterdam, Netherlands. 2004 Great Plant Picks award winner.

Breeder: Gert Fortgens

Parentage: A. rugosa x A. foeniculum

Origin: Native Cultivar

Characteristics:

Height:
24-36 Inches

Spread:
18-24 Inches

Flower Color:
Purple-blue shades

Foliage Color:
Green shades

Hardiness Zone:
4,5,6,7,8,9
Find Your Zone

Sun or Shade?:
Full sun (> 6 hrs. direct sun)

Wet or dry?:
Low water needs
Average water needs

Want to see wings?:
Attracts butterflies
Attracts hummingbirds

Need critter resistant plants?:
Deer resistant

How fast should it grow?:
Medium

When should it bloom?:
  Midsummer
  Late summer
  Early fall

How's your soil?:
Average Soil
Fertile Soil

Sweet or Sour Soil?:
Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)
Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0)

What's your garden style?:
  Cottage
  Formal
  Eclectic

Attributes:

Border plants
Cut flower or foliage
Dried flower or seed heads
Drought Tolerant
Fragrant flowers or foliage
Mass Planting
Specimen or focal point
Easy to grow

Awards:

Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit 2004
International Hardy Plant Union Outstanding Plant Award 1996

Homeowner Growing & Maintenance Tips:

Agastache should be planted in full sun and slightly alkaline soil. The most critical factor is good drainage. This plant will NOT tolerate wet soil, especially in winter. When planting, put a thick layer of gravel in the bottom of the hole and then mix more in with the filler soil. Native to the southwest US and Mexico, it is naturally heat and drought tolerant.

Companions:

	Common/Botanical Name	Zones
	*Heliopsis helianthoides* 'Summer Sun'** Common Name: False Sunflower	3,4,5,6,7,8,9
	*Rudbeckia fulgida* 'Goldsturm'** Common Name: Black-Eyed Susan	4,5,6,7,8,9,10
	Euphorbia polychroma Common Name: Spurge-Cushion	4,5,6,7,8
	*Helictotrichon sempervirens* 'Sapphire'** Common Name: Grass-Ornamental	3,4,5,6,7,8
	*Belamcanda chinensis* 'Hello Yellow'** Common Name: Blackberry Lily	4,5,6,7,8,9,10
	*Buddleia davidii* 'Black Knight'** Common Name: Butterfly Bush	5,6,7,8,9,10
	*Echinops bannaticus* 'Blue Glow'** Common Name: Globe Thistle	3,4,5,6,7,8
	*Festuca glauca* 'Elijah Blue'** Common Name: Grass-Ornamental	4,5,6,7,8
	*Caryopteris Grand Bleu™ (x clandonensis* 'Inoveris' PP17837 COPF)** Common Name: Blue Mist Shrub	6,7,8,9

While every effort has been made to describe this plant accurately, please keep in mind that the height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates throughout the country. The description of this plant was written based on our experience growing it in Michigan (USDA hardiness zone 5) and on numerous outside resources.

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