Chuck Pavlich, Director of New Product Development at Terra Nova Nurseries, has expressed great enthusiasm for Agastache ‘Pink Pearl.’ According to him, this unique plant offers a multitude of advantages, making it a promising addition to the horticulture industry.
Agastache ‘Pink Pearl’ is a member of the Kudos™ 2.0 variety, as per Pavlich. The Kudos series first gained attention as a “game changer” when introduced in 2013. The story behind this series begins in the harsh Eastern Oregon desert, where Pavlich discovered a small, pink-flowered weed thriving amidst unfavorable conditions. He recognized it as an Agastache species and brought it back to Terra Nova, where he had to persuade Janet Egger, the breeder of the Kudos™ series, to see the potential in incorporating this “weedy” plant into her breeding work. This unconventional addition ultimately gave the Kudos series a competitive edge, with its naturally dwarf habit, dense flower spikes, enhanced hardiness, and, notably, increased tolerance to Downy Mildew.
Agastache ‘Pink Pearl’ inherits these qualities from the Kudos series but also adds new features, likened to an upgraded computer software program. This variety boasts improved branching, larger and more prolific flowers, and an extended bloom time. In Pavlich’s words, “It combines all the best qualities of an ‘elevated’ perennial.”
Introduced in 2022, Agastache ‘Pink Pearl’ has already made a significant impression. Visitors to Terra Nova’s trial grounds were amazed by its performance and full habit. With natural dense branching, bred-in disease resistance, months of repeat flowering without the need for grooming, and a delightful soft pink ombre color cascade in each spike of flowers, ‘Pink Pearl’ embodies the essence of an exceptional perennial.
This variety offers advantages across the entire horticultural supply chain, from growers to retailers and end consumers. For growers, ‘Pink Pearl’ presents the ease of propagation, reduced need for manual intervention, lower disease pressure, decreased labor for maintenance, and improved tolerance to grower errors. For retailers, its visual appeal is a standout feature. The captivating colors in each spike make it a trendsetter, able to stand alone in a bed or container, or harmonize beautifully with other plants. In Pavlich’s words, “It’s that good.”
Pavlich notes that the demand for Agastaches has been steadily rising over the last decade, especially since the introduction of Terra Nova’s KUDOS™ series. The increased tolerance to various weather conditions, significantly improved disease resistance, a wider color range, and its attraction to pollinator insects have all contributed to this growing demand.
Yet, meeting this demand remains a challenge. ‘Pink Pearl’ has achieved excellent sales, and cutting farms are now working diligently to meet this demand without disappointing anyone. The variety’s performance and aesthetic qualities have made it a sought-after addition to horticultural landscapes.
In conclusion, Agastache ‘Pink Pearl’ is making waves in the horticulture industry. As a Kudos 2.0 variety, it builds upon the success of the Kudos series while introducing new features that set it apart. With its impressive attributes and ease of cultivation, it is well on its way to becoming a perennial classic, pleasing every link in the horticultural chain from growers to retailers and end consumers.