Agastache 'Kudos Mandarin'

Autumn-Spring · Planting

Prune flowering stems

Two choices: in mid-late autumn cut spent flowered stems back to near ground, avoid damaging the very young growth at the base. Or leave them for the architectural effect of the their foliage, and cut back in spring, avoiding the young growth.

Spring-Autumn · Outdoors

Water during drought

In drought conditions where established plants in the ground have had no water for a month, do a deep watering. If drought continues repeat after a fortnight. Plants only need watering during spring to autumn growth. Check plants in pots more often.

Established plants have a good degree of drought tolerance. Water after a prolonged period of drought. Many drought tolerant plants can rapidly revive, even when much of the foliage has died. They will respond with new growth.

Spring - early-mid · Planting

Divide when too large

The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.

Spring - mid · Planting

Prune to the ground

Plants that have been left all winter for the architectural effect of their foliage can be cut to the ground in spring, being careful not to damage the young growth that will just be emerging.

Summer - early · Outdoors

Feed a general fertiliser

Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.

Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.

Summer · Planting

Deadhead - remove dead flowers

Cut off dead flowers to encourage the development of new ones. In late summer the seed heads can be left for their architectural value in winter. If this is unappealing, cut the plant to the ground in autumn.

Deadheading (cutting off the flowers) induces the plant to provide further flowers.