If you’re searching for an easy-care perennial with long-lasting blue flowers, Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ is a wonderful choice. This attractive plant combines elegant flower spikes with aromatic foliage, making it both decorative and practical in the garden.
The leaves release a pleasant anise and mint fragrance when brushed, while the nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and nectar-feeding birds. This makes it a valuable plant for gardeners wanting to support pollinators.
Another advantage is that ‘Blue Fortune’ is a sterile cultivar, meaning it won’t self-seed around the garden. Instead, it slowly forms a tidy clump, making it easy to manage in borders and mixed plantings.
Gardener’s Plant Guide
Botanical Name: Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’
Common Name: Blue Fortune Agastache, Giant Hyssop
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Climate Zones:
- Australia: Cool temperate to warm temperate regions
- Sun Requirements: Full sun to light shade
- Soil Requirements: Well-drained, humus-rich soil
- Water Needs: Moderate; drought tolerant once established
- Mature Size: Around 1 m tall and 80 cm wide
- Flowwring Time: Spring through summer
- Native Area: Hybrid of Agastache rugosa × Agastache foeniculum
Plant Description
Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ is a clump-forming perennial valued for both its foliage and flowers.
The plant produces upright stems topped with soft blue flower spikes that bloom for months, creating a gentle haze of colour through the warmer seasons. The blooms are rich in nectar, making them irresistible to pollinating insects.
The mid-green leaves are aromatic, releasing a refreshing anise–mint scent when touched or brushed against.
Because this cultivar is sterile, it won’t spread aggressively through seed. Instead, it slowly expands into a neat clump that fits easily into most garden designs.
Growing Conditions
Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ thrives in sunny positions with well-drained soil. In the right conditions it is remarkably easy to grow and requires little ongoing care.
One important factor is good winter drainage. Excess moisture during colder months can affect plant health, so avoid heavy or waterlogged soils.
Once established, the plant shows moderate drought tolerance, although it performs best with occasional moisture during hot periods.
Planting Guide
Plant Agastache in spring or early autumn so the roots have time to establish.
Planting steps
- Choose a sunny spot with free-draining soil.
- Improve the soil with compost or organic matter.
- Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball.
- Plant at the same depth as it was in the container.
- Water well after planting.
Space plants about 60–80 cm apart to allow for their mature spread.
Watering Needs
Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish a strong root system.
After establishment, Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ becomes fairly drought tolerant, although it benefits from occasional watering during extended dry spells.
Applying mulch in spring helps keep the root zone cool and evenly moist through summer.
Soil Requirements
This plant performs best in well-drained, humus-rich soil.
Heavy clay soils should be improved with compost, organic matter, or coarse sand to improve drainage.
Avoid planting in areas where water tends to collect in winter.
Sunlight Requirements
For the best flowering display, plant Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ in full sun.
It will tolerate light shade, particularly in warmer climates, but too much shade can reduce flowering and lead to weaker growth.
Fertilizing
Agastache generally needs only light feeding.
Applying an organic fertilizer in spring encourages strong growth and healthy flowering throughout the season.
Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nutrients may produce too much leafy growth and fewer flowers.
Pruning and Maintenance
Maintenance is simple and helps keep the plant looking fresh.
- Late winter pruning: Cut plants back to remove old flower stems and tidy the foliage.
- Deadheading: Trimming spent flowers can encourage a second flush of blooms.
- Spring mulching: Helps conserve moisture and maintain healthy roots.
These simple tasks will keep the plant vigorous and attractive year after year.
Common Problems
Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ is generally low maintenance and pest resistant.
Possible issues include:
Poor drainage: Can lead to root problems, especially in winter.
Severe frost: The plant tolerates light frosts, but very cold conditions may damage growth.
In most gardens, however, it grows with very few problems.
Propagation
Since ‘Blue Fortune’ is a sterile hybrid, it does not produce viable seed.
Propagation is usually done through:
- Division of established clumps
- Softwood cuttings in spring or summer
Both methods are reliable and easy for home gardeners.
Landscape Uses and Garden Design
Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ is a versatile plant that works well in many garden styles.
It is especially effective in:
- Mixed perennial borders
- Pollinator-friendly gardens
- Cottage gardens
- Naturalistic plantings
- Herb and fragrance gardens
Its upright growth makes it ideal as a border filler plant, adding soft colour and movement while attracting beneficial insects.
Companion Plants
Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ pairs beautifully with other sun-loving perennials, including:
- Salvia
- Echinacea
- Rudbeckia
- Lavender
- Nepeta
These plants share similar growing conditions and together create vibrant, pollinator-friendly plantings.
Practical Gardening Tips
- Always plant in well-drained soil, especially in cooler climates.
- Mulch in spring to retain moisture and protect roots in summer.
- Deadhead regularly to extend the flowering season.
- Avoid heavy watering during winter.
- Plant in groups for a stronger visual impact and better pollinator attraction.
If you are looking for a long flowering easy care perennial with blue flowers, then Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ could be it.
Aromatic foliage, which when brushed gives of a anise – mint fragrance, flowers that act as bee magnets and also attract butterflies and nectar seeking birds to the garden are all additional pluses.
This is also a sterile cultivar, so it will not self seed. It will spread to form a small clump, however is not an invasive thug in the garden.
Excellent in the garden border as filler with a touch of class.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name – Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’
- Common Name – Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’
- Family – Lamiaceae
- Origins – Agastache rugosa x Agastache foeniculum Hybrid
- Position – Full sun to a little shade.
- Soil – Well drained, humus rich soils with some summer moisture.
- Height – To around 1 metres.
- Spread – To around .8 metre.
- Growth rate – Medium.
- Flowers – Blue.
- Flowering time – spring through Summer.
- Foliage – Mid green and aromatic.
- Frost tolerant – Mild frosts only.
- Drought tolerant – Medium once established.
Available for sale from the following nurseries
www.planterspatch.com.au