Agastache 'Blue Fortune' is one of those plants that earns its keep three times over. The soft blue-purple flower spikes are gorgeous from midsummer right into autumn, the foliage smells faintly of anise when you brush past it, and bees absolutely cannot leave it alone. If you want a border plant that looks good, smells good, and does good, this is it.

Giant Hyssop produces tall, upright spikes of tubular lavender-blue flowers that sit above grey-green, softly textured foliage. The overall look is relaxed and naturalistic — it fits perfectly into cottage garden planting schemes, informal mixed borders, and meadow-style displays. The vertical flower stems add real structure without feeling rigid, and the muted blue-purple colouring pairs beautifully with warm oranges, soft pinks, and creamy whites nearby. Up close, the leaves have a slight felty texture and release a gentle anise fragrance, which makes walking past a planted border genuinely lovely.

Agastache 'Blue Fortune' grows in an upright, clump-forming habit, reaching around 60 to 90 cm at full maturity outdoors. Supplied at 20 cm in a 9 cm pot, it establishes quickly once planted out and will bulk up steadily each season. It suits mid-border planting, raised beds, large patio containers, and cottage garden schemes. Given enough space, established clumps become genuinely impressive.

Plant in a sunny or lightly dappled spot for the best flowering. Full sun is ideal and will produce the tallest, most floriferous stems. It tolerates a little afternoon shade but flowers less freely in shadier positions. In the UK, a south- or west-facing border or patio position is perfect.

Giant Hyssop is a straightforward garden perennial once it finds its feet. Water regularly while establishing in its first season, then ease off — it becomes reasonably drought tolerant once settled. Plant in well-drained soil; it dislikes sitting in wet or waterlogged ground over winter. Cut stems back hard in early spring to encourage fresh, vigorous growth. A light feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring helps kick off the season. No deadheading is strictly necessary, but removing spent spikes can extend the flowering season.

There is something genuinely satisfying about a plant that earns its place both visually and ecologically. Agastache 'Blue Fortune' adds that effortless cottage garden feel to a border — the kind of planting that looks considered but requires relatively little fuss to maintain. The soft fragrance when you walk past, the hum of bees on warm afternoons, and the long season of colour make it one of those plants that quietly becomes a garden favourite.

• Long Season of Colour: Flowers from midsummer well into autumn, keeping your border looking great for months.
• Bee Magnet: One of the top pollinator plants — bees and butterflies flock to the flower spikes.
• Fragrant Foliage: Brush past it and enjoy the gentle anise scent from the leaves.
• Cottage Garden Charm: Looks at home in informal borders, meadow schemes, and mixed patio containers.
• Low Fuss Once Established: Drought tolerant when settled, with minimal pruning needs.

If your border needs a reliable, long-flowering perennial that earns admiring glances from neighbours and bees alike, Agastache 'Blue Fortune' is an easy choice. Pop it in a sunny spot and let it do its thing.

• Size at dispatch: 20 cm in height, and comes in a 9 cm pot
• Care level: Medium
• Pet safety: No, toxic to pets