Orientalis Blue Agapanthus

Orientalis Blue Agapanthus (Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis 'Blue') is the classic blue headed agapanthus, still the most reliable mass planting for a hot, dry, awkward strip of garden. Clumps hold at about 1m tall in flower and 80cm across, evergreen in most Australian climates, with round heads of blue trumpets through summer. It shrugs off drought, salt wind, poor soil and frost.

Why you'll love it

• Summer flowers with no effort. Tall stems carry rounded heads of blue trumpets well clear of the foliage, year after year.
• It survives neglect. Drought tolerant, frost hardy, salt tolerant and content in poor soil. Nature strips and dry banks are where it does its best work.
• Evergreen strappy foliage. Despite the deciduous label it holds its leaves through winter in most Australian gardens.
• Fast to establish. Clumps thicken quickly and close a gap within two seasons.
• Pollinators use it. Bees and butterflies work the flower heads through the summer flush.

Where it works best

Mass planting. Plant 50cm apart for a solid block. At four plants per square metre the clumps meet in the second season and the ground stays covered, which suppresses weeds.

Borders, driveways and nature strips. A single row at 50cm centres holds a clean edge along a drive, and it takes reflected heat off concrete better than most.

Coastal gardens and pots. Salt wind does not mark the foliage. It also flowers best slightly root bound, so a 400mm pot carries a clump for years before splitting.

Growing Agapanthus in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun for the heaviest flowering, part shade if you mainly want foliage. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens and is frost hardy once established. Tropical gardens are the exception, where humidity gives leaves at the expense of flowers.

Soil. Undemanding. Sandy, gravelly and clay soils all work as long as water does not sit around the crown in winter. On heavy clay, raise the bed by 150mm.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer, then only during long dry spells. If flowering thins after many years, a handful of complete fertiliser in early spring and dividing in autumn will restore it.

Pruning and safety. Cut spent flower stems off at the base as soon as the colour goes. That stops seed setting, which matters near bushland, since agapanthus can self seed into surrounding country. Be aware the sap irritates skin and eyes, and the plant is toxic to cats and dogs if chewed.

What to expect when it arrives

We grow it in two sizes: 140mm pots in packs of ten and 200mm pots in packs of six. The 140mm plants are the value option for a long border, since ten at 50cm spacing cover about two and a half square metres. The 200mm plants are larger clumps and usually flower a season earlier.

Agapanthus travels better than almost any other perennial, because the fleshy roots carry their own reserves. Expect some bent leaves in the box and ignore them. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Plant in autumn or spring and expect the first proper flowering in the second summer. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full agapanthus range
• Choosing plants for borders and edging
• Compare coastal and salt tolerant plants
• Plants suited to large mass plantings

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. All parts are toxic to cats and dogs if eaten, and the sap irritates skin and eyes. Keep it out of a garden where pets dig or graze, and wear gloves when dividing.

How far apart should I plant them?

Fifty centimetres apart, which is four per square metre. Closer planting does not close the gap faster and makes dividing harder later.

Why is my established clump not flowering?

Usually too much shade, too much nitrogen, or a congested clump. Move it into full sun and divide it in autumn if the centre has gone woody.