Sunset hyssop is a perennial in the mint (Lamiaceae) family that is native to the southwest USA and is found on cool mountain slopes. It will grow 1-3 feet tall and 1-1.5 feet wide. The Genus name comes from the Greek words agan meaning "very much" and stachys meaning "ear of wheat" in reference to the flower spikes. The species name, rupestris, means living on a cliff. The common name sunset hyssop refers to the color of the flowers. The long-lasting blooms on this compact plant attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Its foliage is licorice-scented, which is great to deter deer. This plant, once established, is drought tolerant. The bloom season extends from summer into fall. Sunset hyssop does best in a drier climate and may have problems in high-humidity areas. Plant in sandy to rocky soils with very good drainage or in a pot or raised bed. This plant will not survive the winter in wet heavy soils. Deadheading the plant after the initial blooms will often encourage a fall blooming period. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems but will develop root rot in too-wet soils. Watch for rust, powdery mildew and leaf spots.
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.