Anise Hyssop Agastache 'Purple Haze'

Water

Hyssop or Agastache 'Purple Haze' prefers to be watered deeply but infrequently to encourage strong root growth. When the top inch of the soil feels dry, it is time to water the plant—typically this could be once a week during active growing seasons, or less often during cooler months. A good rule of thumb is to provide approximately one gallon of water for each plant during a watering session, ensuring the moisture reaches the root zone. During particularly hot or dry spells, you may need to water more frequently, but always check soil moisture before adding water to prevent overwatering.

Light

Hyssop thrives best in full sun which means it should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot for planting Hyssop 'Purple Haze' would be an area that offers unfiltered sunlight for the majority of the day. However, it can tolerate some partial shade, particularly in hotter climates.

Temperature

Hyssop is relatively hardy and can withstand a range of temperatures. It thrives best in temperatures between 60°F and 80°F but can survive minimum temperatures down to about 20°F. The maximum temperature it can generally tolerate without stress is about 90°F, but it's important to ensure adequate watering in higher temperatures.

Pruning

Prune Hyssop in early spring to remove any dead or damaged growth and to encourage bushiness. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, can be done throughout the blooming season to promote additional flowering. A more thorough pruning might be needed every few years to rejuvenate older plants, best performed in the late winter or early spring.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Anise Hyssop 'Purple Haze' thrives best in well-draining soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0, which is mildly acidic to neutral. A suitable soil mix for 'Purple Haze' can consist of a blend of garden soil, compost, perlite, and a small amount of sand to improve drainage. It's essential to avoid waterlogged conditions to prevent root rot.

Repotting

Anise Hyssop 'Purple Haze' should generally be repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil. When you notice slowed growth or roots emerging from drainage holes, it is time to consider repotting into a slightly larger container.

Humidity & Misting

Anise Hyssop 'Purple Haze' is not particularly humidity-sensitive and can do well in average garden humidity levels. Providing good air circulation around the plant will help prevent any humidity-related issues.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Anise Hyssop 'Purple Haze' in a sunny spot with some afternoon shade.

• Outdoor

  Plant Anise Hyssop 'Purple Haze' in full sun with well-draining soil.

• Hardiness zone

  Anise Hyssop 'Purple Haze' is suitable for 5-10 USDA hardiness zones.

Life cycle

Agastache 'Purple Haze', commonly known as Hyssop 'Purple Haze', starts its life cycle with seed germination, which requires a well-draining soil mixture and light for optimal growth. The seedlings emerge and grow into young plants, developing a sturdy root system and foliage. The vegetative stage follows, where the plant increases in size and produces its characteristic fragrant leaves. During the flowering stage, usually in late spring to summer, 'Purple Haze' produces tall spikes of tiny, tubular purple flowers that are attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. After pollination, the flowers will set seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. In winter or adverse conditions, the plant may die back to the ground, but it can return from the roots or self-seed the following spring.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Late Spring-Early Summer

• The most popular method of propagating Agastache 'Purple Haze', commonly known as Hyssop or Hummingbird Mint, is through seed sowing. Seeds can be started indoors in late winter, about 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. They should be sown in seed-starting trays or pots filled with a well-draining soil mix. Lightly press the seeds into the soil without covering them as they require light for germination. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged and maintain a temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). Germination usually occurs within 1-4 weeks. Once seedlings have grown large enough to handle, they can be transplanted to individual pots and later moved to their final location outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.