‘Tutti-frutti,’ produces clusters of tiny, tube-shaped raspberry flowers that are densely packed into striking 6-10″ terminal spikes on strong, purple stems. The leaves are serrated and ovate-lanceolate, exuding a lovely lemon aroma. This resilient plant thrives even in summer heat and humidity and has a long late summer bloom period, often lasting until the first frost.
Agastache plants flourish best in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils under full sun, and they can comfortably tolerate a bit of light shade. It’s important to ensure good soil drainage, as these plants may struggle to survive winter in heavy clay soils that hold too much moisture. Once they’ve established themselves, they can handle heat and moderate drought conditions quite well. Removing spent blooms encourages further flowering. Typically, Agastache hybrids are winter hardy to at least USDA Zone 6. In locations where winter might pose a challenge, it’s wise to plant them in sheltered spots (like southern exposures) and to leave leaf and flower stems intact over the winter for added protection. Using sandy or gravelly mulch can help guard the plants and prevent rot. However, keep in mind that hybrids grown from seeds might not retain the traits of the parent plant.
Height: 2’-2.5′ Spread: 1’-1.5′ Bloom: July-September Light: Full Sun Water: Medium Zone: 6-10 Origin: Texas, Southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico (cultivar)
