Pretty much everyone is familiar with Agastache foeniculum, also known as anise hyssop. That’s a very common plant in the beginner-native-gardening-starter-pack list, despite the fact that it is one of the species that isn’t native to our region. Agastache foeniculum is originally native in the upper midwest United States. Not that there’s anything wrong with it. I have it planted throughout my partially-native food forest/cottage veggie garden to help deter herbivory. Surrounding the plants they’re likely to eat with ones that are somewhat of a deterrent can be effective. That being said, it’s not entirely foolproof, speaking from experience. They just won’t spend much time sniffing around.
This species, Agastache scrophulariifolia, as well as another one I’m offering, Agastache nepetoides, are both native to our region. It is somewhat fragrant, but not as strongly scented as Agastache foeniculum. What that means is, you may wish to keep an eye on this one. In some areas, deer have been reported to consume this one. Your mileage (and level of deer pressure) may vary.
This also gets much larger/taller than anise hyssop, topping out at 6-7 ft. Sources are mixed as to whether or not the two might hybridize. I’ve heard some say they can hybridize with the native-introduced species. Other sources say they don’t. Time will tell, if the population I sow from what I grow and collect ends up with hybrids. If it does, I’ve already decided I will be pulling the introduced species.
I have two different varieties available in limited quantities. One is the standard purple-flowered variety. The other is var. alba, meaning it produces white flowers, not purple. Get one or the other or both to mix & match in your garden. Those would likely hybridize, and the offspring may produce colors somewhere in-between.
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