Not Petunias: The Striking Annual Flower That Thrives In Drought

When you're looking for drought resistant plants that can survive without much water, you may think about common options like petunias. While these lovely blooms can bring a pop of color to your garden, they aren't the only options if you're trying to recreate the water-saving landscaping trend of drought-tolerant gardens. Instead, you can also choose to incorporate this vibrant hyssop cultivar for a flower that handles drought with ease while turning your garden into a fragrant pollinator haven.

The trademarked 'Maestro Gold' hyssop (Agastache 'Maestro Gold') is an eye-catching hybrid that sports green stalks of stunning yellow tubular flowers. This plant is often referred to and treated as an annual, except for in USDA growing zones 9 through 11. It can grow to be up to two feet tall, and even when it's not in bloom, its foliage remains a visually appealing part of the garden throughout the growing season. One of the best parts of this hyssop variety is how flexible it is. It can flourish when planted in garden beds as well as containers, allowing you to better customize your drought-tolerant garden to fit your space.

The 'Maestro Gold' hyssop is overall a low-maintenance option that won't require constant hands-on work. However, it's still important to brush up on the proper care requirements to make the difference between a surviving and thriving plant in your garden.

You'll need to pick the right spot for 'Maestro Gold' hyssops in your yard, especially in regards to sunlight. This Agastache hybrid grows best when it's offered a location that receives full sun, with at least six hours of sunlight each day. This makes it perfect for planting in south-facing locations or areas in your yard that don't receive shade during the day. It's also as tolerant of hot conditions as dry conditions, which helps it truly thrive in these spots.

It's important to keep in mind that drought tolerance doesn't mean not needing water at all. As a result, during longer dry periods where there is little to no rainfall, you may need to provide supplemental water to help your 'Maestro Gold' hyssop survive. It does require good drainage, though, which means that you'll need to choose the right medium and a pot with drainage holes if you opt to grow this drought-tolerant annual in a container. Providing it with a weekly water-soluble fertilizer can help keep it healthy and in bloom as well.