Agastache cana Seeds

Agastache cana is an attractive aromatic plant from the hot mountainous regions of Texas and New Mexico. This perennial plant is often grown as an annual in regions with cold, wet winters. It is fast-growing and flowers during its first year. The bushy plants display long-lasting raspberry pink flower spikes in summer. Its aromatic greyish green leaves can be used in herbal teas and savoury dishes. Loved by bees and butterflies, it is perfect for bringing height and colour to informal flower beds and wilder areas of the garden. Agstache cana enjoys full sun and can be grown in poor, stony and dry soil as long as it is light and very well-drained.

Agastache cana, also known as Texas hummingbird mint, belongs to the Lamiaceae family alongside lavender and mint. It is native to the rocky, mountainous regions of South-West America where it occurs at an altitude of 1200 to 2000 m. Depending on the climate and the soil type, the plants will reach a mature height of 80 cm in full bloom. It forms bushy, upright woody clumps. The angular stems bear triangular, greyish green leaves with coarsely toothed margins. They give off a minty, anise-like aroma when crushed. From July to October, beautiful flower spikes appear. For several weeks, they bring a graceful touch to the garden as they sway in the breeze. Each spike is covered with small tubular bilabiate flowers, similar to those of sages or fuchsias. They are raspberry pink and have an interesting scent that some have compared to bubble gum. Agastache flowers are loved by pollinating insects. Flowers are followed by numerous seeds that germinate quite easily in light soil.

Agastache cana is a strong-growing, generous and attractive plant that is easy to grow in any free-draining soil. It generally withstands light frosts of about -7°C but will survive much harsher temperatures if the soil stays dry during the winter months. It is perfect for filling out flower beds and attracting wildlife into the garden. In a natural, exotic-inspired garden, pair it with blue asters, Perovskia, Miscanthus, Phormiums or Hesperaloe parviflora. In the herb or vegetable garden, it can be grown alongside thyme, savory, chervil or basil. Agastache cana is suitable for growing in pots on sunny patios or balconies. The dried flowers keep very well in bunches. The dried leaves can be used in herbal teas or to flavour savoury dishes. Agastache cana is sometimes referred to as the Mosquito plant as its scent is an effective mosquito repellent.