Summerlong Lemon Mexican Giant Hyssop (Agastache 'Balsumlem' SUMMERLONG LEMON)
ag-ah-STAK-ee 'Balsumlem' SUMMERLONG LEMON

Deciduous Perennial (usually grown as an annual near you) Clumping, erect in the Lamiaceae Family
A compact Ball Horticultural introduction with gently fragrant foliage and bright yellow flower spikes from late spring into fall; hardy only to Zone 7a, so it's grown as an annual in Chicago.
Summerlong Lemon is a Ball Horticultural (Darwin Perennials) introduction, patented as 'Balsumlem,' with bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flower spikes held above fine, gently fragrant green foliage. It forms a compact, mounded clump and blooms from late spring through summer, extending into fall with deadheading, and draws bees and hummingbirds. Though sold as a perennial, it is only reliably winter-hardy to Zone 7a, so it is best grown as an annual in colder climates like the Chicago area.

Pros

  • Compact, fine-textured mound with bright yellow flowers from late spring into fall
  • Gently fragrant foliage; reblooms with light deadheading
  • Strong bee and hummingbird appeal
  • Deer resistant, drought tolerant once established

Cons

  • Only hardy to Zone 7a — not winter-hardy in the Chicago area, so grown as an annual here
  • Patented (PP36,951) — commercial propagation restricted
  • Needs very well-drained soil
This plant is probably not winter-hardy outdoors where you live.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 16 - 22 inches tall. 16 - 22 inches wide.
Growth Rate Medium
Sun Exposure Full Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium
Zones 7a - 10b (Usually hardy to 0° F)
Tags Annual in Chicago, Attracts Bees, Attracts Beneficial Insects, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Fall interest, Fragrant, Fragrant Foliage, Full Sun, Good for Borders, Good for Mass Planting, Grown as Annuals, Medium, Mounded, Perennial, Tender Perennial, Well-Drained Soil
Bloom Period Late Spring to Early Fall
Flower Color Bright Yellow
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2024 : 06/12 - 07/20

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!