Agastache foeniculum ‘Alabaster’
Agastache foeniculum ‘Alabaster’ is a striking and aromatic perennial, treasured for its tall spires of creamy white flowers and fragrant, anise-scented foliage. Flowering through the height of summer into early autumn, it’s a pollinator magnet that adds soft vertical interest and a light, airy feel to sunny borders, prairie-style plantings, and containers.
At a Glance
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Common Name: Anise Hyssop
Foliage Colour: Mid-green, aromatic
Flower Colour: Soft creamy white
Height: 90cm (3ft)
Spread: 50cm (1.6ft)
Flowering Time: June to October
Hardiness: Hardy in the UK down to temperatures of -5 to 1 degrees Celcius (RHS hardiness rating H3)
Position: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
Elegant Spires of White
‘Alabaster’ stands out with its upright spires of creamy white flowers that rise above aromatic, mint-like foliage. The blooms create a luminous effect in the garden, especially in evening light, and work well in both modern and traditional planting schemes. Its soft colouring makes it a versatile companion to a wide range of perennials and grasses.
Fragrant and Wildlife-Friendly
The leaves of Agastache foeniculum ‘Alabaster’ release a sweet, liquorice-like scent when touched, adding sensory appeal to any space. Its nectar-rich flowers are beloved by bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making it an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly gardens and pollinator pathways.
Perfect for Informal and Naturalistic Gardens
With its loose, upright habit and billowy flowers, ‘Alabaster’ suits cottage gardens, prairie planting, and informal borders. It also pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses, echinacea, and other sun-loving perennials, adding height and softness without overwhelming nearby plants.
Growing Advice
Watering: Water regularly while establishing, then only during prolonged dry spells. It is drought tolerant once established but will flower more freely with occasional watering in very dry conditions.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring to support healthy growth. Overfeeding is not necessary and can reduce flowering.
Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Cut back the whole plant to ground level in late autumn or early spring, once growth has died back naturally.
Dividing: Divide clumps every few years in spring or autumn to maintain vigour and increase stock. This also helps rejuvenate older plants.
Positioning: Best grown in a sunny, well-drained position. Avoid heavy, wet soils in winter, as this may lead to root rot. Ideal for gravel gardens, sunny borders, and raised beds.
Potted: Yes, Agastache ‘Alabaster’ grows very well in containers. Choose a medium to large pot with good drainage and use a free-draining compost, such as a mix of loam-based compost and horticultural grit. Place in full sun and water when the top of the compost feels dry. Container-grown plants may need more frequent watering in summer and will benefit from a monthly liquid feed during the flowering season. Protect pots in winter in colder areas.
Tough, Aromatic and Easy to Grow
Agastache foeniculum ‘Alabaster’ is a hardy, long-flowering plant that requires minimal care once established. It’s rarely troubled by pests or diseases and is well-suited to gardeners of all experience levels. Its upright habit and scented foliage make it a pleasure to grow in any sunny space.
Perfect Companions
Pair Agastache ‘Alabaster’ with:
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Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’ – for a clean, white summer palette
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Stipa tenuissima – to add movement and contrast
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Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ – for deep purple spikes and texture
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Verbena bonariensis – to create a relaxed, pollinator-rich border
Why Choose Agastache foeniculum ‘Alabaster’?
For a soft, elegant display that supports pollinators and delights the senses, Agastache ‘Alabaster’ is an outstanding addition to any garden. Its creamy blooms, aromatic foliage, and easy-care nature make it a reliable performer in borders or containers throughout the summer and beyond.
Buying Perennials from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries we lightly trim back our perennials after flowering and trim them back at the end of the season to ensure that the plants remain neat and tidy whilst in the pot. The more tender the plant the less we cut back to help protect exposed stems from winter frost. Depending on the plant variety we will then prune back further in spring once the risk of the more severe frosts is over.
As a result, depending on the time of year you buy perennials, they may not look like images showing their ‘prime time’ in flower and looking at their best.
From late autumn onwards and dependent on variety, there may be very little visible above the soil except for a few cut back dormant leaves or stems. It is perfectly normal for dormant plants to look like this from autumn onwards, they will however burst back into life in spring.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
Perennials are described and classified differently by different gardeners but all would agree that they are plants that come into flower every year from early spring to late summer, the exact time dependent on variety and most die back to ground level in autumn and winter.
As for all plants, soil preparation is time well spent. Dig over the area to be planted ensuring that the ground is free draining. If not then you may wish to either consider planting in a different spot or raising the level of the planting area by adding additional topsoil, well rotted garden compost and/or well rotted manure. Add ‘Fish, Blood and Bone’ fertiliser or a high potash fertiliser to encourage good root growth and development.
It’s always a good idea to plant a few of the same plant together, we recommend planting in 3’s or 5’s to provide a bold effect but allowing them plenty of room to develop.
Always check eventual plant heights when planning borders to ensure that the taller plants are at the back (or at the centre of an island bed) followed by the medium and then smaller low growing plants.
Remember to deadhead perennials after flowering, trim back lightly in autumn as required to tidy the border and if necessary trim again in spring once the risk of heavy frost has passed.
If perennials get too big, start to flower less and less or if it seems to be dying off from the centre, consider dividing the plant but always check that the particular variety is happy to be divided and that you divide at the right time of year for the plant.
By using this simple guide and a little time, perennials can make an absolutely spectacular difference to your garden.
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