Agastache Blue Fortune a REAL perennial in zone 5a?
ben773
9 years ago
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gardenweed_z6a
9 years agolaceyvail 6A, WV
9 years agoRelated Discussions
blue/purple Agastache cultivar questions
Comments (17)Hello, I would like to add Agastache to hopefully increase the number of humming Birds that visit my home. We have had one pair the past three years and would be great to have a few more. I would like to know what Agastache are perennial for Zone 5b or would self sow in my Zone. We get little or no snow cover, multiple freeze thaws, I do have good draining soil and hot summers. I do use cedar bark for mulch to help keep moisture during summer. I plan on growing from seed, so would also appreciate suggestions on were to purchase, I have looked at swallowtail and they seem to have a good selection. Thanks you, Gale...See MoreFavorite Purple or Blue Blooming Perennials
Comments (24)Hi Whaas, I've looked up some native plants that I grow, or hybrids of natives, and these are listed for z5 or WI. Sorry, I don't know about soil. Phlox divaricata Louisiana blue (purplish blue) blooms first in the spring and then phlox pilosa (pink & purple varieties). Princess Diana clematis (hot magenta, large flowering hybrid from crossing with native texensis), Monarda didyma (our native one is a dark mauve purple & listed for z5). I've read about native Viola pedata bird's foot violets and lots of clematis that are purple shades. There was a famous Polish breeder of clematis, Brother Stefan Franczak, so his hybrids would be cold hardy for you. Clematis on the Web lists his large growing "Polish Spirit" as deep purple blue, "General Sikorski" as mauve blue, "Emilia Plater" as blue violet and his pale "Blue Angel." Here is a link that might be useful: Article on Brother Stefan Franczak...See Morerussian sage vs. agastache (blue fortune?)
Comments (18)PrairieMoon, In my opinion, raised beds are the best way to make the right habitat for plants that don't like our natural soil. I have a bunch of them, made from granite cobble blocks from Home Depot, as well as some that were made using rocks from my property (a bumper crop of rocks every time I stick a spade in the ground) against a wall. You excavate out a foot or more of clay soil and replace it with your special blend, which has to be refreshed once a year with new compost but otherwise is carefree. I use planters and containers for hardy plants (I only use plants that are hardy to at least one zone colder than the local climate). The lavender I have is a Goodwin Creek variety that is only zone 7 hardy, so is marginal in my 6b garden. I bought it last winter and kept it next to a sunny window, then put it outside this year and refreshed the soil. It will come back in before the frost. With the hardy L. angustifoliums that will overwinter outside in our climate, I've found it's not enough to add gravel to existing soil; you really do have to remove the soil and totally replace it with that "Mediterranean" soil. I've had luck with my alpines and other dry-loving plants using a soil made from 2 parts bagged topsoil, 1 part coarse/builder's sand, 1 part turkey grit or small gravel, and 1 part compost (veg or manure)....See MoreAgastache in the north
Comments (17)Ronaldsach, since you haven't told us which Agastache you have, and they vary quite a bit in both cold tolerance and winter moisture tolerance, it is difficult to give advice as to whether to leave them out in the containers or not. Can you find the tag to tell us what variety you have? Generally, IMO 50 degrees seems too warm for overwintering perennials in the garage, and they will begin sprouting in spring well before the outdoor spring has arrived. If you have a dry (under the eaves?) sheltered spot, that might be best. If it will be outdoors, either in the ground or in containers, don't cut back, at least if they are one of the Agastaches that prefer dry conditions in cold weather such as A. rupestris or A. cana or one of the similar hybrids. I don't think it matters so much if it's one of the blue ones (A. foeniculum or one of its hybrids)....See Morearbo_retum
9 years agorusty_blackhaw
9 years agoKirstin Zone 5a NW Chicago
9 years agoben773
9 years agorouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
3 years ago
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