Pruning giant hyssop
Advice for October in the Netherlands
Giant hyssop covers Agastache with varying hardiness. The cutting advice below is limited to the herbaceous cultivar Blue Fortune; choose the safe option first for an unidentified plant. Months are a guide for the Netherlands and Belgium; follow actual growth and flowering.
Which giant hyssop do you have?
Giant hyssop: identify the type first — October
Check this first
Without knowing the type, a low cut is not a safe default for giant hyssop. Check the name; Agastache includes herbaceous perennials and more sensitive woody types with different care needs.
Pay attention to this
- Look for the species or cultivar name on the plant label.
- Do not cut a woody base bare to ground level.
- For frost-sensitive types, assess overwintering conditions and living growth first.
Frequently asked questions
- Can every giant hyssop be cut down?
- No. Agastache also includes frost-sensitive, woodier types. This specific advice is for Blue Fortune; check the care of other cultivars separately.
- When should I cut Blue Fortune after winter?
- When new growth is visible and hard frost has passed, usually April or May. Remove only dead material above the new growth.
- Must the spikes be removed in autumn?
- No. Healthy dry spikes can remain. During flowering, you can remove faded spikes for a tidier appearance.