PlantFiles: Giant Hummingbird's Mint, Giant Hyssop
Agastache barberi 'Tutti-Frutti'

I have many, many flowers that provide nectar for the hummingbirds, butterflies, bees and other pollenators. Today 10-9-2010 I was in my rose garden pergola, talking to my granddaughters. A hummingbird whirred past my head and stopped at the Giant Agastache 'Tutti Frutti'. The blooms have been constant and lovely since midsummer. We only have rubythroated hummingbirds breed here in tidewater Virginia. The last VA Ornithology Gold Book date for rubythroats is 9/24 but there are regular instances of very late migrants observed and confirmed. The rufous hummingbird does travel through this state on its way south to wintering grounds in Mexico. The earliest is 8/4. I have been advised that the sighting of rufous is much less common than of very late migrant rubythroated. Hence...Bon matin and gratis nectar for your long flight ahead! :-)
I think this Agastache is prettier than the A. rupestins. Lavender flowered wands swaying like fairy spires in gentle breezes.

One of the healthiest, tallest things in my garden, infact its taking up so much space and height i wouldn't recommend owning more than one or two of these, it really does attract the butterflies in droves, as well as the humming birds..true to it's nickname of 'humming bird mint' hyssops', and 'Giant hyssops Hyssopsus' "!!! also, i was supprised how very beautiful since its an herb or weed too!!!!! mike.

I have only grown this plant this summer here in Emmitsburg, MD. but it has performed beautifully. The bees, butterflies and hummingbirds visit it everyday.
Now I will need to see how it does during our cold winter.
I hope it does make it.

Hybridized by Richard DuFresne of Greensboro, North Carolina. Flowers can be used fresh or dried as a kitchen herb. I simply toss them over my salads. 'Tutti-Frutti' comes probably from a cross of A. barberi and A. mexicana.

Love it, love it, love it!!! Love the color, love the longblooming, love attracting Hummers, love the scent! Easy to maintain. Excellent drainage and lean soil. Don't cut back branches till you see new growth. I don't have any hardwood mulch around it either. I have small gravel around it.

Absolutely loved this plant. Non-stop blooms all summer long. A very nice color compliment to my honeysuckle vine.

I loved this plant in my garden this year. As hot and dry a summer as we had it bloomed right on. The heat and humidity didn't bother it at all. It bloomed all summer and into fall until frost got it.The bees and the hummingbirds loved it. I love the way the flower spikes blew in the wind.