Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Queen Nectarine Hummingbird Mint: A Peach Backdrop for Lavender
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Queen Nectarine hummingbird mint is a large, full Agastache covered in spikes of soft peach flowers, each tucked into a mauve to dusky rose calyx. The petals come and go, but the calyxes hang on, so the plant keeps its warm color well into fall.
It has proven reliably winter hardy in West Michigan trials and earned top-performer marks in Michigan trials, which matters for a hummingbird mint. Plenty of them look great in July and simply do not come back.
Queen Nectarine at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Agastache 'Queen Nectarine' |
| Flowers | Soft peach in mauve calyxes, on spikes 4 to 6 inches long |
| Foliage | Medium green, toothed, with a strong licorice-mint scent when brushed |
| Size | 30 to 36 inches tall and about as wide |
| Bloom | Starts early July, peaks early August, long blooming |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Wildlife | Excellent for hummingbirds, bees and butterflies; usually left alone by deer |
Why it belongs near your lavender
Lavender and hummingbird mint want the same life: hot sun, quick drainage and not much fussing. That makes Queen Nectarine one of the easiest tall companions you can give a lavender bed. At up to three feet, it works best as a backdrop, planted behind a row of English lavender so the purple sits in front of a soft wall of peach and rose.
Timing is the other reason to pair them. Lavender peaks in late June and July, and Queen Nectarine is just getting going then. By August, when the lavender has been sheared, the hummingbird mint is at full peak and carries the bed into fall. Sketch the layout in the Companion Plant Planner so each plant gets its full width.
Planting and care
- Site: full sun in loose, lean, well-drained soil. Sandy or gritty ground is ideal.
- Timing: plant in spring or early summer so roots settle before winter. Late-fall planting is a common cause of winter loss.
- Water: regularly the first season, then only in long droughts. It handles heat and dry spells well once established.
- Feeding: skip it. Rich soil makes soft growth that does not overwinter as well.
- Airflow: give it room. Crowded, damp plantings invite powdery mildew and leaf spot.
Getting it through a Michigan winter
Drainage decides survival. Wet clay and heavy mulch over the crown are what usually kill hummingbird mint, not the cold itself. Leave the stems standing through winter, then cut them back in spring once you see new shoots at the base. The old stems help shelter the crown through cold, wet weather.
About the plug tray
Queen Nectarine is offered as a full 72-cell plug tray of young starter plants, a good fit for growers, pollinator plantings and anyone potting up their own stock. See the product page for current availability, or browse the Wholesale Hub for more trays.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a true mint? Will it spread?
No. Hummingbird mint is an Agastache, not a running mint. It forms a bushy clump and stays where you put it.
Can I use the leaves for tea?
This hybrid is grown as an ornamental. The foliage smells pleasantly of licorice and mint, but it is not grown for eating.
Does it make a good cut flower?
Yes, it rates well for cutting. The peach spikes look lovely in a jar with a few stems of fresh lavender.
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