I have observed this plant teaming with life for years.
This season I'm compiling a series of pics to show the diversity of critters that visit it.
This is the plant, AKA Anise Hyssop. Not much to look at but the leaves have a nice licorice fragrance.
Andy P
We can start with a little Hover Fly
A green? bee.
A very furry bee.
Andy P
Beautiful flower and ''bugs!'' I have the nepetoides. I know the bees like it, but I'll have to keep a closer watch. It hasn't bloomed yet. Is that Blue Fortune and how tall?
Love the "studious'' boy on the bench!
Billy, The only names I know for this plant are what I listed. I bought a pack of seed many years ago from a European seed catalog. They were listed as Giant Hyssop. This one gets up to about 5 feet tall.
There are times where this one plant has dozens of flying insects buzzing around it. The most difficult bug to capture is the Hummingbird Moth. I hope to catch one this season.
Here is another one.
Andy P
I had Tutti Fruitti, but it didn't live over the winter. I loved the pink blooms. It was also an Anise Hyssop.
I'm trying rupestris, Root Beer Hyssop and x Desert Sunrise this year. I got them from High Country Gardens.
Billy, Watch out, any seeds that the Goldfinch don't get will sprout next Spring. Oh yea, the goldfinch flock in for the seeds. They gently land on the flower stalk to eat, swinging and swaying in the wind. Fascinating.
Andy P
Awww, too cute. The nepetoids really reseed. In fact I was going to eliminate it and one sneaked by me. They get around 6' to 7' tall and I am partial to tall. It just gets in the middle of a bed and looks, well we know how it looks. As it is, the whole peony bed looks terrible. I was going to get a picture of it the other day and start a shame thread.
This is Golden Jubilee Agastache. It only goes about 4 feet and also attracts bumbles and butterflies like crazy. Is that what I see at night, Hummingbird Moths? Is that their real name? I've been trying to figure out what they are and was wondering if they were mutant Hummers, LOL. Anyway, at night they are all over my garden and seem to really like the Agastache. Seems to be a prolific seeder, but is worth the extra work.
Ooh, I like it!
Dad dug up a hummingbird moth pupa while we were digging potatoes. He wiggled, but wasn't quite ready to come out, so I reburied him shallowly. They are the nasty tomato hornworms you know.
Beaker, Hummingbird Moths are also called Sphinx moth. There are many varieties. Very cool bugs that are out in the day as well.
Here is a less pleasant visitor. Fortunately, there are not too many in this yard.
Andy P
We have very few of those this year.
I think I'll try to grow some of those next year. I found quite a few varieties in the Thompson Morgan catalog. Is it too soon to be thinking about next year's seed order? Never!
Heck no! I'm getting a stack of fall catalogues and have already been thinking about what I need!
I'm guilty as charged. I have spent a few evenings with Carolyn's heirloom tomato book and the TGS catalog. Now, back to Agastache.
I just made a thread asking, It's July, but what to plant next year, in garden talk.
I'll check it out.
Love agastache. It hates to be wet though - especially in the winter. Have Blue Fortune and Golden Jubilee. Jubilee is very easy to start from seed, despite the very small size. I love rubbing the flowers in my hand and smelling them. The golden color holds up very well too.
Victor
i just planted three different kinds. i didn't do seeds, too late in the year i think. i got small plants from Annies Annuals and the tall Korean is already blooming, although it's quite short yet. they are in amidst the roses, etc. so they are going to get watered. i will try to miss them with my shower nozzle. this is my first time for these and i'm glad you posted! thanks andy!
Another visitor.
Andy P
A bad picture of Agastache nepetoides. The first year I had it I called it the candelabra. The bees really like it. It's about 6' tall.
This picture of a Tiger Swallowtail on my agastache was taken yesterday. The plant seems to attract small bees,bumble bees and butterflies.
Every day I see a new bug on this plant.
Here is a golden belly bee (my name for it), a new one to me.
Andy P
This tiny moth is a cutie.
Andy P
i love the golden belly bee!
Hi Track, I don't think you have to worry about these with the Roses. I don't know what they will do in the Winter for you. Mine die back to the ground after a freeze. I loose some but this one is very reliable. It has to be at least 6 years old.
I thought that bee was handsome, too. It was a true 'busy bee'. I had to chase it around the plant to get a shot.
Andy P
More nice work, Andy. :-)
hi andy, we do get a couple of light freezes a year here as a rule. the ground never freezes, just an overnight dip into 28-32 range, but not even every year. the three i got are A. rupestris, A. cana "Bubble Gum" and A. rugosa "Korean". the Korean is blooming already, although nowhere near its' promised 5' size yet. from the pictures i saw, that one looked to be a "flopper", so i planted it in my obelisk trellis. maybe that will keep it in place. i have so many bees out there now, it's pretty wonderful and i can only imagine what it will be like when the Agastache is all blooming.
The bee's my favorite too!
What is the purple leaved plant in the butterfly picture?
