Does anyone have clue to the identity of this perenial?

Patricia fehr
by Patricia fehr
I bought this perenial from the clearance rack at Lowes for $1.00, planted it, and promptly forgot about it! As you can see from the picture, it's a pretty boring plant. However, in the fall, it sends out fabulous tall stalks of flowers that are spectacular for cutting. I'd love to know what it is! It seems pretty hardy here in Pennsylvania. It has been growing in pretty dense shade.
Pretty boring looking plant.
Fabulous Fall Foliage!!!
  17 answers
  • Schufrei Schufrei on May 03, 2017

    That looks like agastache (which I believe is pronounced ag-a-STAH-kee, although I've heard it pronounced a-GAS-ta-KEE). It's native in PA, which is probably why it's doing so well. Great plant -- there are some varieties of it that have a beautiful licorice scent too.

  • Richardstarling Richardstarling on May 03, 2017

    It looks like a pink flowering Hosta.

  • Marilyn Zaruba Marilyn Zaruba on May 03, 2017

    It looks like a lilac to me and it is beautiful. We can't grow old-fashioned lilacs here, unfortunately, due to lack of winter cold and if that is what you have...ENJOY. Lilacs do have those heart-shaped leaves. My Kansas grandmother had huge long hedges of them along a fence row leading to the barn. They were gorgeous...she also had peacocks everywhere. Now I am homesick for *the good old days.*

  • Mick Mick on May 03, 2017

    Looks like lilac to me also.

  • Bettie Bettie on May 03, 2017

    Yep a lilac

  • Barbara Barbara on May 03, 2017

    It does look like a lilac, but the fall bloom time doesn't work.

  • Shaley Shaley on May 03, 2017

    My lilacs are in bloom now. I am in zone 7a.

  • Iberkeley Iberkeley on May 03, 2017

    Whatever it is, it's fabulous. It is not a lilac, blooming time is wrong as well as the foliage. It's not a hosta, either, for the same reasons. Not many plants are spectacular all season, so enjoy your Fall bloomer.

    PS. I don't think it's an agastache, the leaves are not right and the plant blooms pretty much all season.


    • James James on May 04, 2017

      Looks like a Lilac but they bloom in the spring.

  • Shaley Shaley on May 03, 2017

    Maybe an Allegheny foamflower? The Allegheny foamflower has heart-shaped leaves and dainty white flowers in spring. Lovely ground cover for shade. This diminutive plant spreads in the garden and grows to under 12" tall. The tiny flowers are produced in racemes that stand above the low-growing foliage. The foliage turns a bronze color in fall and remains throughout the winter. Use Allegheny foamflower as a ground cover in a shaded area of the garden.

  • Shaley Shaley on May 03, 2017

    What do the flowers SMELL like?


  • Shaley Shaley on May 03, 2017

    I just noticed the leaves look to have spots are serrated, local AG center might be able to tell you or local garden club.

    • Patricia fehr Patricia fehr on May 04, 2017

      I'm going to head to my local garden center today! You're right that it's not lilac because of bloom time, but the shape of the flower is similar. The petals are also similar to Asters. The bloom time would be right, but the leaves are wrong. Looking at Agastache online, it looks like it blooms all summer!

      Who knew Lowe's carries more than the basis! I'll let you know what I find out. Thanks all!!!

  • DORLIS DORLIS on May 03, 2017

    flowers look like wild asters>

  • Rea Bensusen Rea Bensusen on May 03, 2017

    Send a picture to Wayside gardens.com or another online nursery to inform you

  • Darlene Darlene on May 04, 2017

    Definitely NOT a lilac. If you rub the leaves and they smell (lovely smell, I can't even describe it ) ,it's definitely agastache.

  • Patricia fehr Patricia fehr on May 05, 2017

    Haven't made it to the garden center yet, but I found another potential online. Apparently there are multiple types of Asters (who knew!). Heart-shaped Asters pictures look pretty close šŸ˜Š and blooming time matches too. Hopefully, the experts will know. I may also try Wayside Garden online suggestion.

  • Shaley Shaley on May 05, 2017

    it is beautiful.


  • Elliebgood Elliebgood on Jun 12, 2017

    Possibly a hydrangea? Leaves look very much like one I have.