Agastache ‘Firebird’ is a popular garden choice, known for its vibrant display and adaptability. It offers visual appeal and is easy to cultivate, fitting well into various garden designs.
Agastache Firebird Characteristics
Agastache ‘Firebird’ features fiery orange-red, tubular flowers on tall spikes. These blooms can show coppery-orange to coral hues, sometimes with magenta tones. Its aromatic, grey-green leaves have serrated margins and release a minty or anise-like scent when brushed.
This perennial typically grows 2 to 4 feet tall and spreads 1 to 2 feet wide, forming an upright, clumping habit. It blooms from early summer through mid-fall, providing continuous color. ‘Firebird’ is hardy in USDA Zones 6 to 10.
Planting Your Agastache Firebird
Agastache ‘Firebird’ thrives in full sunlight, needing at least six hours of direct sun daily. Good air circulation is also beneficial. Ensure the soil has excellent drainage, as ‘Firebird’ struggles in heavy clay soils that retain moisture.
Improve drainage in denser soils by amending with coarse sand, gravel, or compost. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.5) is optimal. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart to allow for their mature size and airflow. Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball, keeping the top level with the soil surface.
Caring for Agastache Firebird
During establishment, water young ‘Firebird’ plants consistently until their root systems develop, typically two to three times per week if the soil is dry. Once established, they are drought-tolerant and prefer deep, infrequent watering. Avoid overwatering, especially in clay soils, to prevent root and crown rot.
Mature plants need full sun for vigorous growth and abundant flowering. Fertilization needs are minimal; ‘Firebird’ thrives in lean soils. An annual spring application of compost is usually sufficient, as excessive feeding can promote leaves over blooms.
Pruning encourages a bushier habit and sustained flowering. Deadhead spent blooms throughout the season for continuous rebloom. In late fall or early spring, cut back stems to tidy the plant, or leave them for winter crown protection. In early spring, before new growth, trim back dead or damaged stems by about one-third.
Garden Benefits and Uses
Agastache ‘Firebird’ offers several garden advantages. Its nectar-rich, tubular flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, making it valuable for pollinator gardens. The plant’s vibrant color and upright form provide strong vertical interest in borders and perennial beds.
Once established, ‘Firebird’ is heat and drought tolerant, suiting it for water-wise landscapes, xeriscapes, and rock gardens. It also performs well in containers. The aromatic foliage can be used for teas.