Yellow Giant Hyssop Seeds - Native Agastache Nepetoides | Tall Fragrant Pollinator Plant

Planting Instructions for Agastache nepetoides

Scientific Name: Agastache nepetoides
Common Name: Yellow Giant Hyssop

1. Site Selection:
Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (6+ hours of direct sunlight daily) is ideal.  
Soil: Well-drained soil is essential. Avoid heavy clay soils that retain moisture.  
Space: Allow 18-24 inches between plants for adequate air circulation.
2. Direct Sowing Outdoors:
Fall Sowing:
Time: Sow seeds directly into the garden in the fall after the first frost.  
Method:
Prepare the soil by removing weeds and loosening the top few inches.  
Sow seeds lightly on the surface of the soil.  
Gently press the seeds into the soil.  
Water gently and keep the soil consistently moist throughout the winter.
Stratification: Fall sowing provides natural cold stratification over winter, which is essential for germination.  
Spring Sowing:
Time: Sow seeds directly into the garden after the last frost has passed.
Method:
Follow the same soil preparation as for fall sowing.
Sow seeds lightly and press them into the soil.
Water gently and keep the soil consistently moist until germination.  
3. Starting Seeds Indoors:
Time: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost.  
Method:
Stratification:
Place seeds between moist paper towels in a sealed plastic bag.
Refrigerate for 4-6 weeks for cold stratification.
Planting:
Fill seed trays or pots with a well-draining seed-starting mix.
Sow seeds lightly on the surface of the soil.  
Gently press the seeds into the soil.  
Water gently and keep the soil consistently moist.
Place trays in a warm, bright location with temperatures around 70-75°F (21-24°C).
Transplanting:
Once seedlings have developed 2-3 true leaves, harden them off gradually by exposing them to increasing periods of outdoor conditions.
Transplant seedlings into the garden after the last frost has passed, spacing them 18-24 inches apart.
4. Watering:
Water seedlings regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Once established, Agastache nepetoides is relatively drought-tolerant, but water deeply during extended dry periods.  
5. Maintenance:
Deadheading: Remove spent flower spikes to encourage continuous blooming.
Pruning: Cut back plants in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth.  
Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
6. Invasive Potential:
Agastache nepetoides is generally not considered invasive in the USA.
Important Notes:
Scarification: Scarification is not typically necessary for Agastache nepetoides seeds.
Soil Preparation: Amend heavy clay soils with compost or sand to improve drainage.  
By following these guidelines, you can successfully grow Agastache nepetoides in your garden and enjoy its beautiful blooms and attract a variety of pollinators.

Native Plant Map

Dark Green indicates the plant is native within the state, yellow rare, the lime green indicates where the plant is native and seen more within a state.

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