Thread-leaved giant-hyssop is a striking, hardy perennial with slender, branched, gray-green foliage and rosy-orange tubular flowers.
Size:
Thread-leaved giant-hyssop is a clump-forming perennial with an upright form, growing 2 to 3 feet high and 2 feet wide.
Native geographic location and habitat:
Found in the mountains of southwestern New Mexico to central Arizona and south into northern Mexico.
Attracts birds or pollinators:
Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators are attracted to the flowers.
Leaf description:
Thread-like, gray-green, 2 inch long linear leaves that are anise or licorice-scented. Stems are erect and square.
Flower description:
Tubular-shaped, burnt-orange flowers are carried on a long inflorescence.
Fruit description:
Seeds are small nutlets.
Plant care:
Thread-leaved giant-hyssop is an excellent choice for dry, sunny areas in the garden. Full sun in well-drained soil is a must. Intolerant of wet sites or high humidity. Cut back plants in spring to promote new growth.
Pests, diseases, and tolerances:
No problems of any importance.
Cultivars and related hybrids: Hybrids are usually showier and hardier and come in a wide variety of colors. Most are 2 to 4 feet high with fragrant, licorice-scented gray-green foliage.
Desert Sunrise hyssop (Agastache ‘Desert Sunrise’):
Orange-pink and lavender flowers grow on a plant 3 to 4 feet high and 2 feet wide.
Firebird hyssop (Agastache ‘Firebird’):
Growing 2 to 3 feet high and 2 feet wide, this cultivar has long terminal spikes of orange-copper flowers.
Tutti-frutti giant hyssop (Agastache pallida x A. mexicana ‘Tutti-Frutti’):
At 2 1/2 feet high and 1 to 1 1/2 feet wide at maturity, this hybrid sports 6 to 10 inch terminal spikes of tubular-shaped raspberry flowers.
