Agapanthus Big Blue Eyes

Agapanthus 'Big Blue Eyes' is the compact blue agapanthus for the front of a border, holding at about 80cm to the top of the flower stems with the strappy foliage sitting closer to 40cm. Deep blue heads open through summer and stand up to sun, salt and long dry spells. Planted 40cm apart it makes a solid, even edge that asks almost nothing of you.

Why you'll love it

• Deep blue flowers through summer. Rounded heads on straight stems, held clear of the leaves so the colour reads from a distance.
• Compact and even. About 80cm to the top of the flowers and 60cm across, so it edges a path without the sprawl of an old fashioned agapanthus.
• It survives what kills other borders. Frost hardy, drought tolerant, heat tolerant and salt tolerant, so hot driveways and coastal gardens both work.
• Evergreen structure. The strappy foliage holds all year, so the border still looks planted in winter.

Where it works best

Mass planting and borders. Plant 40cm apart for a solid border. At that spacing the clumps meet within two seasons and suppress most weeds beneath them.

Driveways and coastal gardens. Reflected heat, salt wind and patchy irrigation are all survivable, which is why agapanthus lines so many coastal drives. Keep the row 500mm back from the edge so the leaves do not catch wheels.

Pots and containers. A 400mm pot holds one clump for years, and it flowers better when slightly root bound.

Growing agapanthus in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the most flowers, while part shade produces leaves and few heads. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens and is frost hardy once established, though hard frost can burn the foliage back before it reshoots in spring.

Soil. Almost anything that drains. Sand, clay loam and poor soil all work, and heavy feeding is unnecessary. Improve badly drained clay with compost and plant on a slight mound.

Water and feed. Weekly water through the first summer, after which it looks after itself except in long dry spells. One dose of complete slow release fertiliser in early spring lifts flowering noticeably.

Pruning. Cut spent flower stems off at the base as they finish. This tidies the clump and stops seed setting, which matters because agapanthus can naturalise beyond the garden in parts of southern Australia. Divide congested clumps every four or five years.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown as tube stock and in 175mm and 200mm pots, the larger sizes sold in packs of six. Tubes are small divisions and the value choice for a long border, usually flowering in their second summer. The potted plants are established clumps that often flower in their first season.

Strappy leaved plants travel well, though the outer leaves may crease or yellow in the box. Trim those off and the clump recovers within weeks. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, minimum order of $300 before delivery, with our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full agapanthus range
• Plants suited to mass planting
• Choosing edging plants for a border
• Coastal and salt tolerant plants

Common questions

How many plants per metre of border?

At 40cm spacing you need about two and a half plants per metre, so a 10m border takes 25. A staggered double row gives a fuller edge on a wide bed.

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. The sap and roots are toxic to cats and dogs, and the sap can irritate skin on contact, so wear gloves when dividing. Plant it away from where a dog digs.

Why is it all leaves and no flowers?

Too much shade is the usual reason, followed by too much nitrogen. Move it to full sun, switch to a complete slow release fertiliser in spring, and leave the clump undisturbed for a season.

Will it spread into bushland?

Agapanthus sets viable seed and has naturalised in parts of southern Australia. Cutting the spent stems off before they seed prevents that, and the clumps stay where you put them.