Agastache Sunny Sparks Pink Improved

Agastache Sunny Sparks Pink Improved is an improved variety. It is hardy and vigorous, with a bi-colour summer flowering in pink and purple. This perennial has a particularly compact and upright habit, forming a small bush with dark green foliage that is scented with aniseed and mint. From July, it is adorned with slender spikes of small flowers that attract butterflies and bees in large numbers. Choose a position in the sun and plant it in rich, well-drained soil. Provide a little water during summer. Remove faded flower spikes to support its magnificent flowering.

Agastache Sunny Sparks Pink Improved belongs to the Lamiaceae family, related to salvias, catmints, and thymes. This herbaceous perennial forms a large upright clump, with highly branched stems, 50cm (20in) tall and 60cm (24in) wide. It produces dark green triangular leaves, 5cm (2in) long, with toothed edges. They appear along the length of the angular floral stems. These leaves release a pleasant scent of aniseed and menthol when crushed. The flowering occurs continuously from July to October in the form of upright, colourful inflorescences in particularly dense spikes. Each small, tubular, pink flower is surrounded by darker, purple bracts. This nectar-rich flowering is particularly attractive to bees and other pollinators. This variety is hardy down to -15°C (5°F). It will be more perennial in soil that remains dry in winter.

Agastache Sunny Sparks Pink Improved is easy to grow in well-drained soil. It tolerates occasional drought. It is ideal in sunny flower beds with a slightly wild appearance, and in large flower borders. It looks wonderful in pots on a patio, in groups of three identical plants or mixed with blue, violet or red agastaches. Water generously during the flowering period in hot regions. This trouble-free perennial adds substance to flower beds composed of grasses (such as stipas, eragrostis, pennisetums), herbaceous salvias, large daisies, echinaceas, goldenrods, and asters. It also pairs very well with yellow or orange shrubby potentillas, as well as with Geranium 'Azure Rush'. It is highly attractive to bees, making it ideal for planting in orchards and vegetable gardens.

The highly scented flowers and leaves are edible. They are delicious in salads or fish dishes.