Flowers are always a source of happiness in a garden or patio. There is such a variety of shapes and colors that it is very difficult not to find our favorite. I believe that with agastache I have finished my search: I love them!
Depending on the species, they can grow from 30 centimeters to 4 meters, and if we add to that that they are herbaceous that live several years, we already have the perfect excuse to have -more- color to our plant paradise. But so that there are no problems, then I am going to tell you what its characteristics and care are.
Origin and characteristics
Our protagonists are perennial herbaceous native to North America that belong to the botanical genus Agastache, which is composed of 112 species. They are popularly known as anise hyssop, since its aroma is reminiscent of licorice and anise, and its flavor is sweet and aniseed. They are characterized by having simple, petiolate leaves with toothed edges, grayish-green and opposite. The flowers are pink to purple.
What uses does it have?
Apart from being used as an ornamental, it has other uses:
- In the kitchen: the leaves are used in salads, fish and shellfish.
- As medicinal:
- Flowers: those of the Mexican Agastache species are used as an infusion for coughs and nerves.
- Leaves: a dressing is made with leaves crushed with garlic and placed on the scorpion sting. This will help reduce inflammation.
What are their cares?
If you are also falling in love with these plants and have decided to get a specimen, then we will tell you the care they need:
- Location: they must be outside, in full sun.
- Earth:
- Pot: universal growing substrate mixed with 30% perlite.
- Garden: grows in fertile, well-drained soils.
- Irrigation: 3-4 times a week in summer, and a little less the rest of the year.
- Subscriber: from early spring to late summer with ecological fertilizersand guano for example.
- Multiplication: by seeds in spring.
- Rusticity: they resist cold and frost down to -4ºC.
What did you think of the Agastache?