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Description
Agastache foeniculum. With heavily licorice-scented leaves and tall spikes of edible lavender flowers, Licorice Mint has been used medicinally for generations. It also happens to be one of the key suppliers of nectar to Skippers and other butterflies and is highly attractive to bees. A beautiful non-invasive mint for the corner of the garden. Also known as Anise Hyssop. Agastache seeds grow to heights of 120cm (48").
Companion Planting: Agastache is fragrant and highly attractive to pollinating insects. Plant a row of Agastache away from the garden to lure cabbage moths away from Brassica crops. Avoid planting near radishes.
| Latin Name |
Agastache foeniculum (syn. A. anethiodora) |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
| Exposure |
Full sun |
| Timing |
Sow indoors in late winter, before the last frost date. Transplant once night time temperatures are steadily above 10°C (50°F). Otherwise, direct sow in autumn. Optimal soil temperature: 12°C (55°F). |
| Starting |
Just cover the seeds, and keep moist in a sterile seed starting mix. When no risk of frost is left, transplant outdoors to containers or at 30cm (12″) spacing in the garden. |
| Growing |
Provide some balanced organic fertilizer annually in the spring. Grow in well drained, fairly rich soil in full sun. Agastache can tolerate light shade, but will not perform as well. Maintain vigorous plants by dividing in the fall. Plants grown from seed may take two years to bloom. |
