Botanical Name: Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’

Common Name: Hummingbird Mint, Anise Hyssop

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Most Climates (USDA Zones 5–9)

Size: 30–36" Tall × 18–24" Spread

Growth Habit: Upright, Clump-Forming Habit

Sunlight: Thrives in Full Sun

Soil: Prefers Well-Drained Soil; Tolerates Poor or Sandy Soils

Water Needs: Low to Moderate Once Established; Drought Tolerant

Bloom Season: Early Summer through Fall

Fertilizer: Light Feeding in Spring; Avoid Excess Nitrogen

Features: Lavender-Blue Flower Spikes, Aromatic Foliage, Heat Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Outstanding Pollinator Plant

Uses: Ideal for Pollinator Gardens, Perennial Borders, Cottage Gardens, Meadow Plantings, and Mixed Borders

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

See our complete Agastache Growth & Care Guide for full care details.

More About Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’

'Blue Fortune' has been around long enough that most gardeners have crossed paths with it at some point, and everyone knows it doesn’t need new hype to prove its worth. The flower spikes are a soft lavender-blue—lighter and calmer than the saturated purples you see in newer hybrids—and they move beautifully in the breeze. I’ve always thought of it as an Agastache that breathes rather than demands attention. What sets ‘Blue Fortune’ apart for me is its timing and rhythm. It starts blooming earlier than many other hummingbird mints and then just keeps going, steady and dependable, without big gaps or pauses. 

The flowers may not be oversized, but they’re produced generously along well-spaced stems, giving the plant an airy, almost transparent look rather than a dense, blocky presence. When it’s in full bloom, the effect is soft and layered, with flower spikes weaving through one another instead of stacking tightly. The anise-scented foliage stays clean and upright at the base, offering a light fragrance when brushed past but never dominating nearby plants. I’ve found it especially easy to work into plantings with perennials that benefit from breathing room, because it fills space without crowding or competing for attention.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

I’ve grown ‘Blue Fortune’ long enough to remember when it was the Agastache everyone measured others against. Because it's been around for so long, we don’t trial it anymore, but it is still proven to be one of the least temperamental varieties we grow. As long as the soil drains well, Blue Fortune handles heat, humidity, and dry spells without complaint. It doesn’t need perfect conditions, and it doesn’t demand constant attention to stay upright and attractive.

Pollinators treat it like a reliable stop on their daily route. Bees work the flowers continuously, butterflies drift in and out, and hummingbirds check it regularly, especially early in the season when other nectar sources are still getting established. Deer leave it alone, and I’ve found it to be a long-lived plant that comes back strong year after year. I reach for ‘Blue Fortune’ when I want something proven—something that quietly does its job, fills space gracefully, and never gives me a reason to worry.

Blue Fortune vs. Other Agastache Varieties

Blue Fortune is widely regarded as one of the most dependable and versatile Agastache varieties, especially in larger plantings and naturalistic designs. Compared to denser, more compact selections like Blue Boa, it has a taller, airier habit with softer blue-lavender flower spikes that create movement and a relaxed, meadow-like feel. When contrasted darker selections such as Black Adder, Blue Fortune reads lighter and more approachable, making it easier to use in mixed borders without overwhelming nearby plants.

It also differs from compact varieties like Little Adder or the vibrant Kudos™ Mandarin, which are better suited for tight spaces and containers. For gardeners prioritizing long bloom duration, exceptional pollinator activity, and effortless integration into large-scale or natural landscapes, ‘Blue Fortune’ remains a timeless and highly reliable Agastache choice.