Licorice plant (agastache)

Agastache, also known as the aniseed nettle or aniseed plant, is a fantastic addition to any rose garden. This versatile perennial is known for its colorful blooms, delightful scent, and its attraction to pollinators such as bees and butterflies. But what makes Agastache such a perfect match for roses? Let’s take a closer look.

Colorful Harmony

Agastache blooms in a range of colors, from soft lavender to deep purple, pink, and orange. These colors contrast beautifully with classic rose hues such as red, pink, white, and yellow. The tall, slender inflorescences of Agastache add vertical interest and texture to rose beds, creating a visually interesting and harmonious garden.

Long Lasting Flowering

One of the biggest advantages of Agastache is its long flowering period, which extends from early summer into autumn. While roses also have a long flowering period, Agastache helps to keep the garden vibrant and colourful, even when some roses have a dormant period between blooms.

Pollinators and Health

Agastache attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds in some regions. These pollinators not only promote the health and fruit set of plants in your garden, but also help pollinate roses, which can lead to more abundant blooms.

Growing conditions

Agastache is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant that thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, similar to the growing conditions that roses prefer. This similarity in preference makes them ideal partners in the garden, as they share the same water and soil requirements.

Easy to maintain

Like roses, Agastache requires little maintenance once established. Regular pruning after flowering promotes compact growth and encourages further flowering. Additionally, Agastache plants are relatively disease and pest resistant, making them a hassle-free addition to the rose garden.

Scent and Aroma

Agastache is known for its pleasant scent, often with hints of mint and anise. This scent adds an extra dimension to the garden experience, especially when combined with the intoxicating scent of roses. Together they create a wonderfully aromatic garden environment that you can enjoy for hours.

Conclusion

Agastache and roses together make a dynamic and attractive combination in the garden. Their colorful flowers, long-lasting blooms, attraction to pollinators, and similar growing conditions make these plants perfect partners. Add Agastache to your rose beds and enjoy a lush, vibrant, and fragrant garden that shines all season long.

Photo: Flower Park Appeltern