Thread-leaved giant-hyssop is a striking, hardy perennial with slender, branched, gray-green foliage and rosy-orange tubular flowers.
Size:
A clump-forming perennial; upright, 2 to 3 feet high and 2 feet wide.
Native geographic location and habitat:
Found in the mountains of southwestern NM to central AZ and south into northern Mexico
Attracts birds or pollinators:
Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators
Leaf description:
Thread-like, gray-green, 2-inch long linear leaves; anise or licorice-scented; erect square stems
Flower description:
Tubular-shaped, burnt-orange flowers 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. Does poorly in wet areas. Cut back plants in spring to promote new growth.
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’):
3 to 4 feet high and 2 feet wide; orange-pink and lavender flowers.
Firebird hyssop (Agastache ‘Firebird’):
2 to 3 feet high and 2 feet wide; long terminal spikes of orange-copper flowers.
Tutti-frutti giant hyssop (Agastache pallida x A. mexicana ‘Tutti-Frutti’):
2 1/2 feet high and 1 to 1 1/2 feet wide; 6 to 10 inch terminal spikes of tubular-shaped raspberry flowers.
