Agastache 'Blue Fortune' – A Graceful, Long-Blooming Hyssop for Bees and Borders
Agastache 'Blue Fortune' is a beautifully refined, clump-forming perennial prized for its long, soft-blue flower spikes and pleasantly aromatic, anise-scented foliage. Flowering generously from midsummer well into autumn, its upright spires of soft lavender-blue blooms rise above compact, grey-green leaves to create elegant vertical structure and a prolonged season of colour. A powerhouse for pollinators, 'Blue Fortune' draws bees, butterflies, and hoverflies in abundance, making it as valuable to the garden ecosystem as it is to the eye.
Combining good drought tolerance with a tidy, well-behaved habit, 'Blue Fortune' is equally at home in relaxed prairie plantings, contemporary mixed borders, and cottage-style schemes.
Why Grow Agastache 'Blue Fortune'?
Soft Blue-Lavender Flower Spikes – Elegant, long-lasting blooms from midsummer to autumn.
Extended Flowering Season – Months of continuous colour and interest.
Outstanding Pollinator Plant – Irresistible to bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
Aromatic Foliage – Anise-scented grey-green leaves add sensory appeal.
Drought Tolerant – Resilient and low-maintenance once established.
Compact Upright Habit – Provides strong vertical structure without spreading invasively.
Height and Spread
Typically grows to 60–90cm (24–36in) in height, with a spread of 30–45cm (12–18in).
Where to Site Your Agastache 'Blue Fortune'
Mixed Borders: Adds graceful height and soft colour
Pollinator Gardens: An essential wildlife-friendly plant
Prairie and Naturalistic Planting: Blends beautifully with grasses and wildflowers
Cottage Gardens: Relaxed, airy form suits informal planting
Gravel and Dry Gardens: Thrives in free-draining, open conditions
How to Grow and Care
Soil – Thrives in well-drained soil; avoid heavy, waterlogged ground which can cause root rot over winter.
Light – Full sun is preferred for the best flowering and most compact, sturdy growth.
Watering – Water regularly during establishment; once mature, 'Blue Fortune' is notably drought tolerant and requires little supplementary watering.
Maintenance
Deadheading – Remove spent flower spikes to encourage further flushes of bloom throughout the season.
Pruning – Leave stems standing over winter to provide habitat and protect the crown; cut back hard in spring once fresh growth emerges from the base.
Mulching – Apply a light mulch around the crown in late autumn to protect against prolonged cold or wet.
Pests & Diseases – Generally trouble-free; good air circulation helps prevent any powdery mildew in very warm, dry conditions.
Perfect Plant Combinations
Perennials: Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Penstemon, Salvia
Grasses: Stipa tenuissima, Panicum virgatum, Molinia
Shrubs: Lavender, Perovskia, Caryopteris
Pollinator Plants: Verbena bonariensis, Nepeta, Echinops
Conclusion
Agastache 'Blue Fortune' is a versatile, long-flowering hyssop that delivers months of soft lavender-blue colour, wonderful fragrance, and exceptional value for pollinators. Easy to grow, drought tolerant, and low-maintenance, it is an outstanding choice for borders, wildlife gardens, and naturalistic planting schemes where effortless beauty and ecological benefit go hand in hand.
