Agastache Barberi

Giant Hummingbirds Mint, is that it's American name. Giant Hyssop. Bought it on a whim from The Plassy garden centre near Wrecsam 'cos it looked nice. Just wondered if it is edible (ala mint). Also, does anyone grow it in their garden and is it hardy in our climate? One website says it grows up to 5 foot, another says it grows to two foot! If it is going to grow monster size, I'll keep it away from my herb patch. Thanx.

 

Hi Terrier. Sorry I can't really help I have never grown this. However I have grown Agastache rupestris which may be close. It looks similar and comes from the same part of the world - N Mexico and South USA. I suspect that it is not hardy. My RHS book says half-hardy for both barberi and rupestris.

You should be able to lift it and overwinter it in a greenhouse or a shed. My Agastache rupestris died but I do this with Agastache rugosa - which is more hardy. Or why not just collect seed and grow it as an annual.

I suspect that it is reasonably edible. Agastache is a close relative of Sage (Salvia) and Mint. Traditionally we cook with just one Sage - Salvia officinalis, but Christopher Lloyd (who was a very able cook as well as being a famous gardener) in one of his books says that you can cook with quite a number of different Salvia species. Wilkopedia says that Agastache rugosa has stomachic properties - ie tones the stomach and improves the appetite, but there is no page for A barberi.