'Blue Fortune' is a hybrid giant hyssop in the mint family (Lamiaceae). Parentage is A. foeniculum x A. rugosa . It will grow 2-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soils. It is tolerant of dry soils and heat once established but it will not tolerate heavy clay or poorly draining soils. It will do well in a raised bed, container or on a slope to help increase drainage. it is a good choice for the southeast gardener as it tolerates humidity better than some hyssops. Blooms are showy and fragrant spikes of lavender-blue flowers appearing from summer through fall and will be covered in pollinators all day. Deadhead flowers to promote more bloom. Crushed foliage has a minty aroma. Mass plant in a perennial border, along a walkway or near a patio to enjoy the minty-licorice fragrance. It also works well in a cottage garden, butterfly garden or cutting garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Leaf spot, powdery mildew, and rust are occasional problems. Poorly drained soils will lead to crown rot. More information on Agastache .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheAgastache 'Astello Indigo'Buddleja Lo & Behold® 'Blue Chip Jr.'Echinacea purpurea PowWow® Wild Berry 'PAS702917'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Edible; Herbaceous Perennial; Perennial
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Soft
Leaf value
Edible; Fragrant; Good Dried
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Gray-green, opposite, ovate lanceolate, hairy leaves below with serrate margins, licorice scent. Leaves used in tea or potpourri.
Flower color
Blue; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Good Dried; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Spike
Flower shape
Lipped; Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Tiny lavender blue two-lipped tubular flowers packed in in a spike of 2'-4' tall in rounded whorls. Fragrant, showy and long-lasting.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
Fruit dries and splots to reveal seeds
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Stiff square stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, birds, and bees.