Agastache Kudos Silver Blue

Agastache 'Kudos Silver Blue' is part of a series of recent hybrids, selected by an American nursery for their superior hardiness. This variety is particularly healthy and disease-resistant. It blooms tirelessly during summer. It forms a compact and leafy clump adorned with an abundant flowering of upright and plump spikes of small bright lavender-blue flowers with a purple calyx. The dark foliage is pleasantly aromatic. Robust, relatively hardy, and undemanding, this perennial undoubtedly brings a touch of lushness to country borders. It will thrive in the sun, even in a cool climate, in well-drained soil that is not too dry to support its beautiful flowering.

Agastache 'Kudos Silver Blue' belongs to the Lamiaceae family, like salvias, catmints and thymes. This herbaceous perennial is relatively hardy for an agastache. It forms a dense, upright clump with highly branched stems, 35 to 45cm (14 to 18in) tall and wide, depending on growing conditions. Its habit is bushier and more compact than other species. It produces dark green triangular leaves, 5cm (2in) long, with serrated edges. They are spread along the length of the angular flowering stems. When crushed, they release a scent of mint mixed with lemon. The flowering period extends from May-June to September, without interruption. It takes the form of upright, thin and dense inflorescences. Each small mauve-blue tubular flower is surrounded at the base by pink-purple bracts. This particularly honey-rich and nectar-rich flowering attracts a large number of bees and butterflies. Like all agastaches in the Kudos series, it is also distinguished by its good resistance to mildew, even in humid climates.

It is easy to grow in well-drained soil. It works well in sunny borders with a slightly wild appearance, as well as in pots on a patio. It should never be allowed to dry out in hot regions during the flowering period. This carefree perennial adds height and substance to borders composed of grasses (stipas, eragrostis, pennisetums), herbaceous salvias, large daisies, echinaceas, goldenrods, and asters. It also pairs very well with yellow or orange shrubby potentillas, for example.

The flowers and highly fragrant leaves are edible. They are delicious in salads or fish dishes.