How to Grow Blue Fortune
Wikimedia Commons
Blue Fortune
Agastache foeniculum 'Blue Fortune'
herbBlue Fortune is a hybrid agastache cultivar prized for its striking deep blue-purple flower spikes and aromatic foliage with anise-like fragrance. This perennial herb attracts pollinators abundantly and performs well in hot, dry conditions. It combines ornamental appeal with culinary and medicinal uses.
When should you plant Blue Fortune in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Blue Fortune timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Blue Fortune
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Blue Fortune
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Blue Fortune dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10; best performance in zones 6-9
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Get my Blue Fortune timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings with simple oval cotyledons emerge; true leaves appear shortly after with slightly serrated edges and emerging fragrance
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; provide bright light; thin seedlings to proper spacing once established
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops bushy growth with increasingly aromatic foliage; leaves are lance-shaped, gray-green, and reach 2-3 inches long
Pinch back growing tips to encourage branching and bushier form; reduce watering frequency; drought conditions improve essential oil concentration
Bud Formation & Pre-Flowering
2-3 weeksFlower buds develop at stem tips forming dense spikes; buds appear green transitioning to purple tones
Reduce nitrogen fertilization if needed; ensure excellent drainage; stake if necessary in windy locations
Flowering
6-10 weeks (mid-summer to fall)Dense spikes of deep blue-purple tubular flowers open sequentially from bottom to top; flowers are highly attractive to bees and butterflies
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming; water sparingly during peak bloom; support stems if they become top-heavy
Seed Maturation & Dormancy
4-6 weeks flowering end to dormancyFlowers fade and seeds mature in elongated seed pods; foliage gradually fades and plants enter dormancy in fall/winter
Allow some flowers to remain for seed production and wildlife food; cut back plant in late fall or early spring; apply light mulch in zone 5 for winter protection
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur spray if severe; resistant cultivars available
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Remove infected leaves; improve drainage; increase air flow between plants; fungicide applications if needed
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Increase humidity with occasional misting; strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap in severe cases
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and
Hand-pick in early morning; copper barriers; encourage natural predators like ground beetles
Uses
Tea and beverage flavoring
CulinaryFresh or dried leaves make aromatic herbal tea with subtle anise-licorice flavor and minty undertones. Also used as flavoring in lemonades, cocktails, and herbal beverages for both flavor and visual appeal. [source]
Traditional herbal remedy
MedicinalUsed traditionally in herbal medicine to support respiratory health, digestion, and general wellness. Contains volatile oils and phytochemicals valued in natural medicine preparations. [source]
Pollinator magnet
WildlifeExcellent nectar source for honeybees, native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Seeds feed finches and other songbirds in fall and winter, making it invaluable for wildlife gardens. [source]
Ornamental and fragrant
HouseholdStriking deep blue-purple flower spikes provide 8+ weeks of color in borders and containers. Aromatic foliage releases pleasant anise scent when brushed, making it suitable for sensory gardens. [source]
Cut and dried flowers
CraftBeautiful flower spikes dry well and hold color excellently for dried arrangements, wreaths, and floral crafts. Foliage can be dried for potpourri and herbal mixtures. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest leaves anytime during growing season for fresh use; for drying, cut stems just as flowers begin to open, typically mid to late summer. Cut stems in early morning after dew dries. Hang-dry in bundles in warm, well-ventilated area. Leave bottom leaves to promote regrowth. Can be harvested multiple times per season.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Blue Fortune is a sterile hybrid, meaning it cannot produce viable seeds and will not self-seed in the garden—perfect for gardeners wanting to control spread without unwanted seedlings.
- 🌱 The name 'Agastache' comes from Greek words meaning 'many ears,' referring to the spike-like flower clusters. All Agastache species share the characteristic anise or minty fragrance.
- 🌱 Bees visiting Blue Fortune flowers have been shown to be particularly attracted to its specific shade of blue-purple, which combined with high nectar production makes it a top pollinator plant in mixed borders.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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