Agastache rugosa. Hardy plants with thick heart-shaped 2" leaves that blush purple during their ideal salad phase. Harvest continually by the leaf or stem tips for light use in salad mix, or cut in bunches as you would basil. Also a much regarded tea herb. Purple flower spikes follow the tender eating stage, making sturdy fragrant cut flowers that will hold color and smell even after drying. One of the top 10 herbs in Traditional Chinese medicine. The plant has antibacterial, antifungal, antipyretic, aromatic, anticancer, carminative, diaphoretic, febrifuge, refrigerant, and stomachic properties, among others. Migrating birds relish oily seeds from unharvested seedheads. Bees are very attracted to the flowers. Grows in clumps, does not spread by runners or self-sowing. Plant indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Transplant out after danger of frost is past. Light/Soil: Full sun to partial shade; rich, well-drained soil. Spacing: 12-18". Approximately 100 seeds. Hardy zone 4-9. Photo by www.greenfusephotos.com
