Sunset Hyssop - Agastache rupestris

Flowers

Sunset Hyssop - Agastache rupestris

Description

"Agastache rupestris, commonly known as giant hyssop or threadleaf giant hyssop, is an upright, clump-forming perennial that typically grows to 2-3' tall. It is native to cool mountain slopes (5000' to 7000' elevation) in Arizona and New Mexico. Small, tubular, 2-lipped, salmon/burnt orange flowers with purplish calyxes bloom in summer (July-August) on erect salvia-like flower spikes (to 12" long) located atop strong, square stems clad with narrow, aromatic (anise scented), linear to linear-lanceolate, thread-like gray-green leaves (to 2" long). Sometimes a sporadic rebloom will occur in fall if plants are cut back in late summer after the initial flowering period.

Genus name comes from the Greek words agan meaning very much and stachys meaning an ear of wheat in reference to the flower spikes.

Specific epithet means living on a cliff.

This plant is sometimes commonly called sunset hyssop in reference to the resemblance of the flower colors to the hues of a sunset. It is also sometimes commonly called rock anise hyssop or licorice hyssop in reference to the minty-licorice-root beer aroma of the foliage of this mint family member." (missouribotanicalgarden.org)