Agastache ‘Purple Haze’ is a bold upright perennial known for its strikingly deep lavender blue flower spikes and aromatic foliage. With a compact yet vertical habit, it’s ideal for gardeners who want a high impact pollinator plant that’s drought tolerant and deerresistant.
Height & Spread: 2 - 3 ft x 1 - 1.5 ft
Bloom Time: Mid summer to early fall (July to September)
Light Requirements: Thrives in full sun; tolerates light afternoon shade
Soil Preference: Prefers well drained soils, including sandy or gravelly types
Watering Needs: Moderate watering during establishment; drought-tolerant once established
Deer Resistance: High due to fragrant, minty foliage
NATIVE STATUS
Cultivated hybrid with North American native species. While not a naturally occurring wild species, it shares the beneficial pollinator friendly traits of its native parent and is widely accepted in native inspired gardens and ecological landscape designs.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Butterflies
- Strong attractor of butterfly species such as Monarchs, Gulf Fritillaries, and Swallowtails. Its late season flowering is particularly useful for migrating or late breeding butterflies that rely on consistent nectar availability.
Bees
- Numerous species of native bees, including bumblebees, leafcutter bees, and mason bees, forage heavily on ‘Purple Haze’. The flower structure allows for efficient nectar collection especially when few other plants are in bloom.
Hummingbirds
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and others are drawn to the long, tubular flowers for their high nectar content and extended feeding opportunities during peak foraging and pre migration periods.
Beneficial Insects
- Also attracts hoverflies, tachinid flies, and predatory wasps that help manage aphids, whiteflies, and caterpillar pests. This makes it a key plant in maintaining ecological balance in a pollinator garden.
SPACING & LANDSCAPE USE
Spacing Recommendations
- Plant 18 - 24 inches apart to allow for full mature spread, promote airflow, and accommodate pollinator movement. This spacing also minimizes mildew and keeps the upright stems from crowding or flopping.
Landscape Placement
- Best suited for sunny borders, pollinator gardens, herb beds, and native-inspired plantings. It fits well into urban meadows, mixed cottage gardens, and perennial foundations, particularly where vertical accents and continuous bloom are needed.
COMPANION PLANTS
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Eryngium yuccifolium (Rattlesnake Master) - Architectural form with contrasting texture and beneficial insect appeal
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Coreopsis verticillata (Threadleaf Coreopsis) - Bright finely textured filler that blooms alongside it
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Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) - Aromatic and native, with lavender pink blooms and excellent bee value
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Liatris ligulistylis (Meadow Blazing Star) - Tall spiky blooms that especially appeal to Monarchs
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Salvia azurea (Blue Sage) - Tall airy blooms that echo the blue tones and extend the flowering season
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Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove Beardtongue) - Early season interest with similar vertical accent
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Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) - A native grass with reddish fall tones that pair beautifully with fading Agastache spikes