This new compact herbaceous perennial from seed attracts hummingbirds, produces aromatic foliage and is drought tolerant when established.

Agastache, also known by the common names of Hyssop or Hummingbird Mint, is a genus of the Lamiaceae family. There are many different species of agastache that are native to North America, as well as one species that is native to Eastern Asia.

Takii’s new Arizona series features three hybrid varieties (Sun, Sunset and Sandstone) derived from species native to North America that are well adapted to the mountainous and arid climates of the Western United States. Agastache is an essential specimen for any pollinator-friendly garden since it is attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. High concentrations of certain characteristic oils in the leaves make the plants unappetizing to insects and deer alike. They fit well into scented gardens, perennial borders and even herb gardens since people can use their leaves for tea and claim that the flowers are edible. This herbaceous perennial series has been proven to be hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 6 and is currently being tested for hardiness in Zone 5.

During the summer of 2014, Takii sent seed for trialing to 24 sites across the United States to assess the performance of the series in a plethora of climates, including areas that experience significant heat and humidity. The results from these trial sites can be found on the National Plant Trials Database.

Pinching is not necessary, but has been shown to increase the spread of the crop and will result in more flower spikes simultaneously flowering at finish. Pinching during the young plant stage will only delay flowering by about a week. Crops that are not pinched will still develop numerous axillary inflorescences but the main inflorescence will begin to flower several days before the axillary inflorescences begin to flower.

Published on Greenhouse Product News

BY MICHAEL ORTIZ

October 8, 2014