Agastache Sunny Sparks Yellow

Agastache Sunny Sparks Yellow is a hardy, compact, and bushy variety with yellow-orange flowering. This perennial has a particularly upright and tight habit, as well as dark green foliage with an aroma of hint of aniseed and mint. From July, it bears slender spikes of small elongated flowers in a yellow-orange shade. They attract butterflies and bees in large numbers. It is a vigorous hybrid that flowers from the first year. It is hardy and water-efficient once established. It is an ideal perennial for sunny borders. Plant it near pathways or patios to enjoy its fragrance. Choose a position in the sun and plant it in rich, well-drained soil. Water occasionally if the summer is very dry and remove faded spikes to support its magnificent flowering.

Agastache Sunny Sparks Yellow is a plant from the Lamiaceae family, related to salvias, catmints, and thymes. This herbaceous perennial forms a broad upright clump, with highly branched stems, 50cm (20in) tall and 60cm (24in) wide. It has dark green triangular leaves, 5cm (2in) long, with toothed edges. They spread along the length of the angular floral stems. When crushed, the leaves release a pleasant scent of aniseed and mint. Flowering occurs continuously from July to October, in the form of upright, highly colourful inflorescences, in particularly dense spikes. The spikes are composed of small tubular yellow-orange flowers. This nectar-rich flowering is particularly attractive to bees and butterflies. 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 Yellow 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.