The Agastache ‘Tutti Frutti’ is a hummingbird magnet that delivers nonstop color from early summer until frost, but the biggest mistake buyers make is confusing a dormant crown with a dead plant. When the right cultivar arrives healthy and well-rooted, it demands nearly zero maintenance and rewards you with weeks of bloom that an ordinary perennial cannot match.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I’ve spent the last several years studying nursery stock, parsing hardiness zone data, and cross-referencing grower feedback to pinpoint which unboxed plants actually survive and thrive in a real garden bed versus which arrive shriveled in the box.
The shortcut to a pollinator-packed border is choosing a genuinely proven, sun-baked performer. This guide isolates the best agastache tutti frutti selections so you skip the dead-on-arrival lottery and get a plant that pops from the pot.
How To Choose The Best Agastache Tutti Frutti
Real ‘Tutti Frutti’ plants produce raspberry-pink flower spikes with a compact, bushy habit that stays under 30 inches. The market is flooded with generic Agastache hybrids that look similar but bloom later or flop open in the center. You need to check three specs before you click buy.
Verify the Cultivar, Not Just the Common Name
A true Agastache ‘Tutti Frutti’ is trademarked. If the listing says “Agastache Tutti Frutti” but the image shows blue flowers, it is a random hyssop, not the genuine pink-blooming selection. Always read the botanical name in the technical specs: look for the trademark designation or the reference to compact pink spikes.
Container Size Predicts First-Year Performance
Starter cubes (2.5-inch) force you to baby the plant for weeks indoors before ground planting. A #1 container plant (roughly one gallon or 3.5 pounds of potted weight) already holds a mature root system that can survive a transplant shock in July heat. If you want immediate garden presence, skip the small cubes and go for the well-rooted pot.
Match Your Zone to the Plant’s Hardiness Range
True Agastache ‘Tutti Frutti’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. Some resellers ship heat-loving tropicals under the same generic perennial tag. Check the hardiness zone in the item details — if the zone range starts at 8, it is a different species and will die in your winter soil.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perennial Farm Marketplace Agastache x ‘Blue Fortune’ | Premium | Immediate garden impact in a #1 pot | #1 Container (3.5 lbs), 36-inch height | Amazon |
| Agastache Peachie Keen Anise Hyssop (3-pack) | Mid-Range | Drought-tolerant pollinator border | Peach-pink blooms, 1 count (3 plants) | Amazon |
| Giant Granadilla Passion Fruit Vines (4 Pack) | Premium | Edible fruit canopy in warm climates | Vine extends over 50 feet | Amazon |
| Giant Granadilla Passion Fruit Plant (4-pack) | Premium | Ornamental trellis with edible fruit | 20-foot vine, purple-white flowers | Amazon |
| 3 Pineapple Guava (Feijoa) Trees | Budget-Friendly | Drought-tolerant edible evergreen shrubs | 2.5-inch nursery cubes, 15-foot mature | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Perennial Farm Marketplace Agastache x ‘Blue Fortune’
This is a mature, fully rooted plant shipped in a #1 container, weighing 3.5 pounds — that is the real weight of a solid root mass, not fluffy soil. The violet flower spikes reach 36 inches tall and bloom from July through September, which is the longest continuous show in this roundup. Perennial Farm Marketplace roots their stock in the pot, not in a cube, so you can plant it straight into the ground the day it arrives without any hardening-off period.
The fragrant green foliage is naturally compact and bushy, forming a clump that stays upright without staking. It is highly deer resistant, a claim that matches nursery reports. The only drawback is the restricted shipping — customers in Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Hawaii cannot order it due to USDA regulations. If you live in those states, you lose access to the most garden-ready Agastache option available.
For a Zone 5-9 gardener who wants a bombproof perennial that shows flower color the same season you plant it, this is the one. The #1 pot eliminates the transplant shock that kills starter cubes, and the 36-inch height fills the middle of a border without flopping.
What works
- Large #1 container with fully developed root system for instant garden impact
- Long bloom window from July through September with deep violet spikes
- Highly deer resistant and drought-tolerant once established
What doesn’t
- Not available to ship to 10 restricted states (incl. CA, CO, OR)
- Provides blue/violet flowers rather than the true raspberry-pink of ‘Tutti Frutti’ cultivar
2. Agastache Peachie Keen Anise Hyssop (3 Live Plants)
This is the closest match to the true ‘Tutti Frutti’ pink aesthetic at a budget-friendly per-plant cost. You receive three live perennials of the Peachie Keen Anise Hyssop variety, which produces peach-pink flower spikes that hummingbirds and butterflies absolutely target. The plants are listed as full sun lovers with moderate watering needs, and they come back reliably each year once established.
The downside is that these ship as smaller starter plants, not as #1 containers. The yellow-listed fall blooming period is also slightly concerning — true Agastache should bloom summer through fall, so you may need to wait until late summer for the first flush. The brand HostaKing typically ships healthy stock, but the small pot size means you will need a few weeks of TLC before planting in ground.
If you want three plants to fill a border quickly without spending premium money, this pack works well. Just plan for a late-summer bloom debut and expect to protect the roots from drying out during the first month after arrival.
What works
- Three plants per order gives instant mass-planting effect for a border
- Peach-pink spikes attract hummingbirds and butterflies reliably
- Easy-to-grow perennial with super-fragrant foliage
What doesn’t
- Starter-size plants require gentle care and hardening-off before ground planting
- Bloom period listed as fall, which may mean missing early-summer color
3. Giant Granadilla Passion Fruit Vines (4 Pack)
This is not an Agastache — it is a tropical passion fruit vine. But if you are looking for a flowering plant that provides ornamental appeal and edible fruit, the Giant Granadilla is a powerhouse. These four starter plants can develop into vines extending over 50 feet, making them ideal for covering a trellis, pergola, or fence in a warm-weather garden (Zones 8-11).
The spectacular fragrant flowers attract pollinators, and the massive fruits are sweet and juicy. The trade-off is that these are starter plants, not established containers. The care instructions advise soaking the pots for 30 minutes on arrival, avoiding immediate repotting, and gradually introducing them to full sun. This is a project, not an instant gratification plant.
If your goal is a dramatic vertical statement with a tropical twist, this four-pack delivers. But for a traditional Agastache-style border perennial that blooms without trellis support, skip this one and stick with the Peachie Keen or Blue Fortune options above.
What works
- Produces massive sweet fruits for fresh eating or juice
- Grows extremely fast, covering large structures in one season
- Vibrant large blooms add ornamental drama to the garden
What doesn’t
- Strict starter plants requiring precise care instructions on arrival
- Not cold-hardy beyond Zone 8; dies in freezing winter temperatures
4. Giant Granadilla Passion Fruit Plant (4 Live Starter Plants)
This is a near-identical offering to the previous passion fruit vine pack, also labeled Giant Granadilla, but from a different brand (Wekiva Foliage). The key difference is this listing specifies a mature height of 20 feet rather than 50, and the soil preference is sandy, well-draining soil. It ships as four starter plants in 2.5-inch pots, expected to bloom in spring rather than summer.
The full sun requirement is strict — six to eight hours of direct light daily for best fruit production. The purple and white flowers are stunning, but the vine needs support structure and will not thrive in partial shade. The 16-ounce shipping weight suggests very young plants that need immediate potting up.
If you want a passion fruit vine and the first option is sold out, this brand offers a strong alternative with the same tropical appeal. Just match it to warm climates and be prepared for a slow start as the plants size up from starter pots.
What works
- Striking purple-white flowers with high ornamental value
- Produces edible fruit when given full sun and consistent watering
- Well-suited for sandy, well-draining soil conditions
What doesn’t
- Very small starter plants (16 ounces total) requiring significant care
- Needs a trellis or support structure; not a free-standing shrub
5. 3 Pineapple Guava (Feijoa) Trees – Live Saplings
This product is the cheapest per-unit option in the list, offering three Pineapple Guava (Feijoa) saplings in 2.5-inch nursery cubes. The Feijoa sellowiana variety is an evergreen shrub or small tree that reaches 15 feet at maturity, with silver-green foliage and edible fruit. It is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in full sun to partial shade within Zones 8-11.
The replacement guarantee is a safety net, but the 2.5-inch cube size means these are the smallest plants in the roundup. The expected planting period is spring, and the moderate watering needs require consistent attention during the first growing season. The ornamental charm is real, but you are buying a future tree, not an instant impact plant.
For a budget-friendly way to start a fruiting edible hedge, this three-pack offers good value. Treat the cubes carefully, harden them off gradually, and you will have a productive shrub in two to three years. But if you need immediate color for a pollinator garden, redirect your budget to the Peachie Keen or Blue Fortune Agastache instead.
What works
- Three plants for one low price, great for starting an edible hedge
- Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established
- Hassle-free replacement guarantee if plants arrive damaged
What doesn’t
- 2.5-inch cubes are very small; will need one to two years of growth before producing fruit
- Requires Zone 8-11 warm climate; not hardy in cold winter regions
Hardware & Specs Guide
Container Size vs. Starter Cube
The most overlooked spec in live perennial buying is container volume. A #1 container (one gallon) holds a root system that has filled the pot, giving you a plant that can go straight into the ground without wilting. A 2.5-inch nursery cube holds a seedling — it needs indoor protection, hardening-off, and several weeks before it can survive full sun. Always check the weight in pounds. A 3.5-pound pot is a mature plant. A 0.5-pound cube is a baby.
Bloom Time and Color Accuracy
True Agastache ‘Tutti Frutti’ produces raspberry-pink spikes from summer to fall. If the listing says “blue,” “violet,” or “peach” and does not mention the trademarked cultivar name, it is not the same plant. Bloom time should be listed as a range (e.g., July–September). A single season like “fall” indicates a different bloomer. Match the color description with the image — if the photo shows pink but the specs say blue, trust the specs, not the photo.
FAQ
Why does my Agastache look dead when it arrives?
Can Agastache ‘Tutti Frutti’ survive in partial shade?
What is the correct soil for Agastache?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the best agastache tutti frutti winner is the Perennial Farm Marketplace Agastache x ‘Blue Fortune’ because the #1 container gives you a mature root system that transplants without shock and blooms the same season. If you want the exact peach-pink color that matches the ‘Tutti Frutti’ look, grab the Agastache Peachie Keen 3-pack. And for a tropical edible canopy, nothing beats the Giant Granadilla Passion Fruit 4-pack.