Agastache Kudos Mandarin Seeds

Agastache Kudos Mandarin is a stunning perennial that brings vibrant orange blooms to your garden. This variety of Agastache, commonly known as "Hyssop," is particularly admired for its ability to attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Known for its aromatic foliage and long-lasting, brightly-colored flowers, it’s a fantastic addition to herb gardens, ornamental borders, and pollinator gardens.

Key Benefits

• Vibrant Orange Flowers: Features bright mandarin-orange blooms that stand out against its lush green foliage.
• Pollinator Magnet: Attracts a wide range of beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it perfect for pollinator-friendly gardens.
• Fragrant Foliage: The aromatic leaves are slightly minty, offering a refreshing fragrance when brushed or crushed.
• Drought Tolerant: Once established, Kudos Mandarin is highly drought-tolerant, making it an ideal choice for low-water gardens.
• Long Blooming Period: Blooms from mid-summer to fall, providing continuous color throughout the growing season.
• Compact Size: Reaches a height of 18-24 inches (45-60 cm), making it suitable for smaller spaces or container planting.

Variety Features

• Flower Color: Bright mandarin orange.
• Flower Shape: Tubular, spike-like flowers, arranged in clusters, giving a dramatic, vertical accent in gardens.
• Plant Height: Grows 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall, with a spread of about 12-18 inches (30-45 cm), forming a neat mound.
• Bloom Time: Blooms from mid-summer through fall, providing months of color and fragrance.
• Foliage: Aromatic, minty-scented, green leaves that contrast beautifully with the bright orange flowers.

Planting Instructions

Best Planting Season

• Spring or Fall: Plant seeds in the spring after the last frost or in the fall, allowing the seeds to establish before winter for spring blooms.

Ideal Location

• Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Agastache Kudos Mandarin thrives in full sun but can tolerate some light shade.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil. It thrives in loamy or sandy soil with good drainage.

Planting Details

• Seed Depth: Sow seeds lightly on the surface of the soil and press them down gently. Do not bury them, as light helps with germination.
• Spacing: Space seeds or seedlings 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart to allow for good airflow and healthy growth.
• Watering: Keep the soil moist until seeds germinate, but avoid waterlogging. Once established, Kudos Mandarin is drought tolerant and requires less frequent watering.

Care Instructions

Watering

• Water regularly during dry periods, especially when the plant is young. Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant and requires only occasional watering.

Pruning

• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming throughout the summer and fall. Cut back the plant in late fall or early spring to promote new growth.

Harvesting

• Flowers: Harvest flowers when they are in full bloom. Snip the flower spikes and place them in water immediately for use in floral arrangements.
• Seeds: Allow the flowers to go to seed in the fall. Once the seed heads dry, collect them for replanting next season.

Storage

• Seed Storage: Store collected seeds in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. Keep away from moisture and heat to preserve their viability for future planting.

Culinary Uses

• Non-edible: While Agastache leaves are often used in teas or as a flavoring in herbal preparations, the flowers are primarily ornamental and not typically used in cooking.

Conclusion

Agastache Kudos Mandarin is a perfect addition to gardens aiming to attract pollinators and add a splash of vibrant color. Its orange blooms, aromatic foliage, and long blooming season make it an excellent choice for garden beds, borders, and containers. Easy to grow, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance, this plant thrives in sunny or partially shaded areas, offering beauty and fragrance from mid-summer to fall. Whether you're a pollinator enthusiast or looking to brighten up your garden, Kudos Mandarin is sure to impress.