Korean Mint (Agastache rugosa): Robust, Licorice-Scented Perennial for Tea and Pollinators

Overview

Korean mint (Agastache rugosa), also called wrinkled giant hyssop or purple giant hyssop, is a vigorous perennial native to East Asia. It grows 3-4 feet tall with coarse, toothed, licorice-mint scented leaves and dense spikes of lavender-blue flowers from mid-summer to early fall. More tolerant of humidity and moisture than other agastaches.

Botanical Details

• Family: Lamiaceae (mint family)
• Genus: Agastache
• Species: rugosa
• Synonyms: Agastache formosana, Elsholtzia monostachys, Lophanthus argyi, L. formosanus, L. rugosus

Growing & Uses

Full sun to part shade, moist, well-drained soil. Very heat- and humidity-tolerant. Leaves make excellent tea (popular in Korea), flavor meats, fish, desserts. Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds. Self-sows moderately. Cut back in late fall or early spring. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9.