Magnificent inflorescences, refreshing scent and a very long flowering period - no wonder that spikelets are becoming more and more popular in home gardens. This is not the end of the advantages of these amazing perennials!Their edible flowers and leaves can be an interesting addition to dishes, and also attract many useful insects with their scent.Coming from the South-East As the name suggests, the Asian Anise Agastache rugosa combines the scent of anise and mint. In Korea, it is valued as a spice for pancakes and stews, and its leaves are also used to make excellent tea.
Its North American cousin, Agastache foeniculum, has a slightly different smell, exuding an intense aroma of fennel.As a herb, it is widely used in the kitchen - it is an excellent seasoning, for example, in fish stews or salads. As the name suggests, Mexico is the home of the Mexican earwig Agastache mexicana. Its refreshing citrus flavor and aroma make it an ideal addition to cold drinks.
Nurseries offer a wide range of these perennials. We will find, for example, Mexican spikelets such as 'Sangria', more resistant to frost than their wild relatives!Spikelets are quite easy to grow and not very susceptible to diseases, they are only attacked by mold.
Most varieties are frost-resistant, but remember that the better they can withstand winter cold, the drier their position is. They cannot tolerate stagnant water and may not survive wet winters. However, apart from that, they are almost reliable, only they cannot cope with prolonged wet weather, and sometimes snails can also be a problem.We plant them in sunny, well-drained positions.
We can also get them from sowing - it must be dense, because the seeds germinate poorly. If we do not intend to collect seeds, we can cut off the fading inflorescencesHowever, this involves resignation from their majestic silhouette, which also decorates the garden in winter.In summer, spikelets are wonderful companions of monards, echinacea and flames.
Kłosowiec - silhouette
Botanical Name : Agastache;
Height : 40-160 cm, depending on variety;
Flowering period : June-September;
Site : sunny and permeable;
Frost resistance : only Mexican spikelet requires wintering in a bright room at a temperature of 10-15 ° C;
Diseases and pests : in humid weather it can be attacked by slugs and infested with mold.
Flowers in ice cubes
Mexican spikelet flowers frozen in ice cubes will become a decorative and tasty addition to cold cocktails, lemonades or drinks. Due to its intense citrus flavor and aroma, this species is sometimes called lemon or lime spikelets.Its aromatic flowers and leaves can also be dried and made into delicious tea.Kłosowiec anise 'Alabaster' is used for inhalation and therapeutic baths. The infusion of the flowers of this plant soothes twisted nerves and has a beneficial effect on the quality of sleep. Flowers are a good addition to cakes.
