The perennial Agastache, commonly known as Hyssop or Hummingbird Mint, is celebrated for its long bloom time, fragrant foliage, and magnetic appeal to pollinators. The cultivar ‘Queen Nectarine’ stands out with luminous, soft peach-colored flowers held in contrasting mauve-pink calyxes, creating a striking two-toned effect that extends its visual interest into the fall. This hybrid variety offers robust vigor and improved hardiness, making it a reliable addition to the garden. Its aromatic foliage and abundant nectar supply draw hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.
Site Selection and Initial Planting
Selecting the proper location is important for ensuring the long-term success of ‘Queen Nectarine’ Agastache. This plant thrives only in full sun, requiring a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily to maintain a strong habit and achieve maximum flowering. A well-draining soil composition is necessary, as the plant will not tolerate prolonged wet or soggy conditions, especially during winter dormancy. If your native soil is heavy clay, amend it with gravel or coarse sand to improve porosity and help water move away from the crown and roots.
The plant tolerates a wide range of soil pH, from slightly alkaline to neutral, and performs best in average to lean soil. ‘Queen Nectarine’ is generally hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9; however, in cooler zones, excellent drainage is even more important for winter survival. When planting, dig a hole roughly twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the crown sits at the same level as the surrounding soil surface. Space individual plants approximately 32 to 36 inches apart to allow for mature growth and adequate air circulation, which helps prevent fungal issues like powdery mildew.
Ongoing Watering and Soil Health
Once established, ‘Queen Nectarine’ is highly drought-tolerant and requires minimal supplemental watering. During the first season, consistent moisture is necessary for root establishment. After this phase, water occasionally and deeply, only when the top few inches of soil have dried out. Overwatering is the most common cause of failure for Agastache, often leading to root rot and weak stems.
The plant prefers lean soil conditions and generally does not require heavy fertilization. If growth seems sluggish, apply a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the early spring. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as this promotes excessive foliage growth at the expense of flower production, resulting in a lanky appearance. Applying a thin layer of organic mulch around the base helps regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and suppress weeds without overly enriching the soil.
Seasonal Pruning and Dormancy Preparation
Throughout the mid-summer to fall blooming period, deadheading spent flower spikes encourages continuous new blooms. Removing faded flowers before they set seed redirects the plant’s energy into creating additional flowering stems, extending the display into autumn. Pinching back growth tips in the spring, when the plant is six to twelve inches tall, encourages denser, bushier growth and prevents the plant from becoming too tall and spindly.
As the season ends, leave the dead brown stems standing, as the hollow stalks offer winter protection for the crown, especially in colder zones. These upright stems also provide visual interest in the winter landscape and offer shelter for beneficial insects. In USDA Zone 5, apply an insulating layer of mulch over the crown after the ground freezes to protect the roots from extreme cold. Reserve the final, major structural pruning for the following spring, cutting all old growth back to within a few inches of the ground as new green shoots emerge.