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Agastache cana - (Hook.)Wooton.&Standl.

Common Name Hoary Balm Of Gilead, Mosquito plant
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry slopes in the mountains[187].
Range South-western N. America - Texas to New Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Agastache cana Hoary Balm Of Gilead, Mosquito plant


Charlie McDonald. http://www.fs.fed.us/
Agastache cana Hoary Balm Of Gilead, Mosquito plant

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Agastache cana is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Cedronella cana.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment

Leaves - used as a flavouring[2, 105]. A very fragrant flavour[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a sunny sheltered position and a well-drained sandy loam enriched with leaf-mould[111, 200]. Best if given a hot dry position in full sun[187]. Plants are only hardy in the milder areas of Britain[111, 233], tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[200]. Another report says that they are hardy to about -20°c[187]. Plants are short-lived[233]. A good bee plant.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 13°c[133]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year. Plant out in late spring or early summer[K]. Division in spring. Fairly simple, if large divisions are used it is possible to plant them straight out into their permanent positions. Basal cuttings of young shoots in spring[111]. Harvest the young shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm tall and pot them up in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse. They should root within 3 weeks and can be planted out in the summer or following spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (New Mexico (southwest), Texas)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Agastache foeniculumAnise Hyssop, Blue giant hyssopPerennial0.9 4-9  LMNDM513
Agastache mexicanaMexican Giant HyssopPerennial0.8 6-10  LMNDM302
Agastache neomexicanaNew Mexico Giant Hyssop, Bill Williams Mountain giant hyssopPerennial1.2 7-10  LMNDM312
Agastache rugosaKorean MintPerennial1.0 7-10  LMNDM432
Agastache urticifoliaGiant Hyssop, Nettleleaf giant hyssopPerennial1.2 7-10  LMNDM31 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Hook.)Wooton.&Standl.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

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