Sweet Pea 'Tutti Frutti'

At a Glance

Quick Facts

• Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus
• Classification: Spencer
• Petal Pattern: Stripe
• Color Profile: Orange striping over a crisp white ground
• Fragrance: Moderate
• Breeder: Roger Parsons
• Year Introduced: 2020
• Flowering Type: Summer-Flowering

Overview

'Tutti Frutti' is a vibrant and highly attractive contemporary addition to the summer-flowering Spencer class. This eye-catching variety is celebrated for its brilliantly patterned display, showcasing lively, bright orange stripes set vividly against a crisp, clean white background. Possessing the wonderfully ruffled and waved petal structure that exhibition Spencers are famous for, along with a pleasing moderate fragrance, it is a magnificent choice for bringing striking contrast and a burst of warm, cheerful novelty to both the garden and the vase.

Growth Habit

Exhibiting the standard robust vigor of the modern Spencer varieties, 'Tutti Frutti' is a tall-climbing vine. It requires a sturdy vertical support system, such as a tall trellis, netting, or bamboo teepees, to ascend properly toward the sun throughout its growing season.

Cultivation Notes

To coax the most spectacular, heavily frilled blooms from this vine, plant it in a sunny location with deeply enriched, well-draining soil. Because of its tall climbing habit, the stems should be tied in regularly to ensure the plant remains secure against the wind and its supports. Consistent harvesting and the diligent removal of faded blossoms are absolutely essential to prevent the plant from setting seed, thereby guaranteeing a continuous, uninterrupted flush of bright striped flowers all summer long.

Historical Notes

This striking modern cultivar was raised by the renowned contemporary sweet pea expert and breeder, Roger Parsons. After initially appearing in his catalogues in 2019, 'Tutti Frutti' was officially introduced to the botanical registry and commerce in 2020, offering growers an exciting, freshly bred option for an orange-striped display.

In the Garden

Grown For: Cheerful and high-contrast cut flower arrangements, exhibition showing, and adding a vibrant, patterned novelty to summer borders.

Companion Planting

To make its bright orange stripes truly pop, pair it with crisp, pure whites like 'Wild Swan'. It also looks spectacular planted alongside warm, solid-colored varieties like 'Clementine Kiss', or contrasted against deep blues like 'Just Jenny' to create a striking warm-and-cool palette.