Orange flowered hyssop is an herbaceous perennial member of the mint family that originated in the northwestern part of Mexico. The scientific form of the genus name, Agastache, is based on Greek. Agan means very much and stachys means an ear of wheat. It is thought that the name refers to the shape of the flower spike. The species name is based on the Latin for scarlet. This plant is fairly easy to grow in medium moist well-drained soil. Poor drainage could result in crown or root rot. If you live in a colder area with danger of prolonged periods of frost, leaving the stems on over the winter and dressing with a sandy / gravelly mulch may help to protect the crown. Hybrids may be more tolerant of the cold. This plant prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade. It will grow between two and three feet tall and form a clump up to two feet wide. The small two-lipped tubular flowers appear from June to September. They are showy and fragrant. Deadheading will prolong the blooming period. The plant reseeds readily, however, hybrids will not come true from seed. Division can be used in these cases. One of the best things about Hyssop as a genus is the licorice or anise scent of the leaves. Just brush against them and the area is filled with the scent. Another plus is its attraction to pollinators and hummingbirds. Deer tend to leave it alone. Although the plant is fairly problem-free, there can be problems with rust, powdery mildew, and leaf spots. Plant this plant wherever you are likely to brush against the foliage- along a path, in a pot near the patio or poolside. Its height and showiness make it perfect for mid to back of a sunny border. Use it in a cut flower garden, cottage garden, scented garden, or pollinator garden.
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.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Rhomboidal
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf value
Fragrant
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The thin leaves are almost diamond shaped and slightly hairy with serrated edges. They are strongly anise scented and will release the scent at the lightest touch.
Flower color
Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Spike
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The individual flowers of this plant are small, reddish orange in color and fragrant. They are carried in a long, full spike above the stems which makes them very showy. They are tubular in shape with two lips and the pistil extends far beyond the top lip. The shape and color are exactly what hummingbirds are looking for and should attract them to your garden.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
The grey-green, lightly scented stem of Agastache coccinea is square in cross-section. The stems are strong and straight. The plant seldom needs staking.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Mexico
Wildlife value
Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Hummingbirds; Pollinators
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Pool/Hardscape; Walkways
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Cottage Garden; Cutting Garden; Garden for the Blind; Pollinator Garden
Design feature
Border; Mass Planting; Small groups
Garden tags
#flowers late spring #flowers early summer #showy flowers #border planting #naturalizes #flower arrangements #low maintenance #flowers mid-summer #drought tolerant #orange flowers #flowers late summer #cottage garden #fragrant leaves #dried arrangements #cutting garden #rabbit resistant #deer resistant #HS303