Blue Fortune Hyssop
Blue Fortune Hyssop
A Pollinator Magnet with Fragrant Foliage
Blue Fortune Hyssop (Agastache 'Blue Fortune') is one of the hardest-working pollinator plants you can grow, sending up dense, soft lavender-blue flower spikes from midsummer well into fall above aromatic, anise-scented foliage. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds swarm it from morning to dusk. Upright, tidy, and long-blooming, it's drought-tolerant and deer-resistant once established, making it a carefree star of sunny borders in Edina, Maple Grove, and Woodbury. It performs best in well-drained soil, especially over winter.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Agastache 'Blue Fortune' |
| Mature Size | 2–3 ft tall, 1.5–2 ft wide |
| Hardiness Zone | Zone 4–9 (best in well-drained soil in Minnesota) |
| Light | Full sun |
| Bloom Time | Midsummer to fall |
| Flower Color | Soft lavender-blue spikes |
| Soil | Average, well-drained; dislikes wet winter soil |
Landscape Uses
Use Blue Fortune in pollinator and sunny borders, prairie-style and cottage gardens, and mass plantings. Its long bloom and fragrant foliage pair beautifully with coneflowers, ornamental grasses, and black-eyed Susan; the flowers cut well, and seed heads add winter interest.
Best Time to Plant
Plant in spring or early summer so it establishes well before winter. Good drainage is the key to reliable overwintering in Minnesota.
How to Plant
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the crown level with the soil, backfill, water in, and mulch lightly. Avoid heavy, wet sites, which can cause winter loss.
Watering
First Year: Water deeply 1–2 times per week to establish the roots.
After Year One: Water during dry spells. It's quite drought tolerant once established.
Drip Irrigation: A drip line provides efficient moisture without keeping the crown wet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How good is it for pollinators?
Exceptional, it's one of the top nectar plants for bees and butterflies and a hummingbird favorite, blooming for months.
Is it hardy in Minnesota?
It's hardy here in well-drained soil; wet winter soil is the main risk, so site it accordingly.
Does it have fragrant foliage?
Yes, the leaves have a pleasant anise or licorice scent when brushed.
Is it deer resistant?
Yes, the aromatic foliage makes it reliably deer-resistant.
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Pair Blue Fortune with coneflowers, ornamental grasses, and black-eyed Susan for a long-blooming, pollinator-friendly sunny border.