Purple Cloud Agapanthus

Purple Cloud Agapanthus (Agapanthus 'Purple Cloud') is the tall deep violet agapanthus that holds its flower heads well clear of the foliage, so the colour reads from across the garden instead of getting lost in the leaves. Flower stems reach about 1.5m, with each clump spreading to around 80cm. It is the plant to use when a driveway or a coastal boundary needs to look deliberate with almost no ongoing work.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers that stand above the leaves. Stems to 1.5m carry the deep violet heads clear of the foliage, which is what shorter agapanthus varieties fail to do.
• It thrives on neglect. Drought tolerant, heat tolerant and frost hardy once established. Water it in, then largely leave it.
• Built for the coast. Salt tolerant, so seaside gardens and beach house driveways suit it well.
• It covers ground fast. Fast growing clumps knit together and hold soil on banks, which suppresses weeds without herbicide.
• Bees work it hard. The flower heads are a genuine nectar source through the warm months.

Where it works best

Mass planting. Plant 60cm apart for a dense mass planting. At that spacing the clumps meet in two seasons and give an unbroken band of foliage with a haze of violet above it in summer.

Driveways and coastal gardens. A row at 60cm spacing gives structure without blocking sightlines, and salt tolerance suits a sandy front boundary.

Borders and pots. The strappy foliage makes a clean path edge, and one clump in a large pot gives a tall flowering feature.

Growing Purple Cloud Agapanthus in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the heaviest flowering; in part shade the stems get fewer and lean towards the light. It performs across subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and is frost hardy once the clump is established.

Soil. Almost anything that drains: sandy coastal soil, clay loam and improved suburban topsoil all work. The one thing it will not accept is a permanently wet position.

Water and feed. Water twice a week through the first summer, then only in extended dry spells. A slow release fertiliser in early spring supports flowering. High nitrogen gives lush leaves and few flowers.

Maintenance and pets. Cut spent stems at the base and divide congested clumps every four to five years. Agapanthus has naturalised in parts of the country, so removing heads before they seed is good practice near bushland. The sap is toxic to cats and dogs, so wear gloves when dividing.

What to expect when it arrives

Purple Cloud is grown in two sizes: tube stock, and 140mm pots in packs of ten. Tubes are young divisions and the value choice for a large mass planting, since agapanthus establishes quickly from small stock. The 140mm packs suit a driveway run and give a season's head start.

Both sizes travel well because the fleshy roots hold moisture. Expect a season of leaf growth before the first proper flowering, and full flowering from the second summer. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Compare every agapanthus variety we grow
• Plants chosen for mass planting
• Salt tolerant plants for coastal gardens
• Getting new plants established

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Sixty centimetres apart for a solid mass planting or a driveway edge. Each clump spreads to about 80cm, so at that spacing they overlap slightly and close into a continuous band within two seasons.

Is agapanthus safe around pets?

No. The sap is toxic to cats and dogs if chewed and can irritate skin, so wear gloves when dividing clumps. Most dogs leave it alone, but it is not one for a run used by a puppy that chews everything.

How tall does it really get?

The foliage clump sits around 60cm and the flower stems carry the heads to about 1.5m in summer. A shorter figure quoted for agapanthus is usually the leaves alone. If yours is not flowering, suspect shade, too much nitrogen, or a clump overdue for division.