Africanus White Agapanthus

Africanus White Agapanthus (Agapanthus africanus 'White') carries clean white flower heads on stems to about 90cm, over a strappy clump 60cm across. White reads further than blue at dusk and sits well against render, brick or a dark hedge, which is why it is the agapanthus landscapers reach for on driveways and formal edges. It is frost hardy, drought tolerant and salt tolerant once established.

Why you'll love it

• White flowers that lift a dark corner. The heads sit clear of the foliage at around 90cm, so the planting reads from the street.
• Tough in four ways at once. Frost hardy, drought tolerant, heat tolerant and salt tolerant, so it suits coastal, inland and cool southern gardens alike.
• Weed suppressing clumps. At 60cm wide the strappy foliage closes over the soil and keeps most weeds out.
• Low maintenance by any measure. One feed in spring, spent stems removed, division every four or five years, and it is bee and butterfly friendly along the way.

Where it works best

Driveways and avenues. Plant 50cm apart in a single row. Ten plants cover about 5m of edge, and the clumps knit into a continuous band by the second season.

Mass planting and borders. The same 50cm spacing gives a solid bed. Repeat it in blocks rather than scattering single plants, because white agapanthus works by mass.

Coastal gardens and pots. Salt tolerance makes it a genuine option for exposed front gardens, and it flowers well slightly root bound, so a 400mm pot suits it long term.

Growing white agapanthus in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun for the heaviest flowering, though it accepts a few hours of shade. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and it is frost hardy, so cold southern and tableland gardens are well within range.

Soil. Free draining is the only real requirement, and poor sandy soil is no obstacle. On clay, mound the bed 150mm so the crowns are not sitting in winter wet.

Water and feed. Weekly water through the first summer, then only in long dry spells. Feed a complete slow release fertiliser in early spring. Too much nitrogen produces lush leaf and few flowers, so keep it light.

Pruning. Remove spent flower stems at the base, for appearance and to stop seed setting. Tidy old outer leaves in late winter, and divide congested clumps every four or five years.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in 140mm pots in packs of ten and in 200mm pots in packs of six. The 140mm plants are established young clumps and the value option for a long driveway edge. The 200mm plants are a season ahead and more likely to flower in their first summer. Check the size selector before you order, because the 200mm pack moves in and out of backorder.

Strappy foliage travels well, and leaves bent in transit can be trimmed back without harm. Expect about a month of settling, full clumps by the end of the first year and reliable flowering from the second summer. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• See every agapanthus we grow
• Choosing edging plants for a garden bed
• Drought tolerant plants for dry gardens
• Salt tolerant plants for coastal blocks

Common questions

How many plants do I need for a driveway edge?

Two plants per metre of run at 50cm spacing. A pack of ten covers 5m of single row and a pack of six covers 3m, so measure the run before choosing a size.

Is it toxic to dogs and cats?

Yes. All agapanthus contain compounds toxic to cats and dogs if eaten, and the sap irritates skin. Wear gloves when dividing, and pick a different edging plant if your dog chews foliage.

Can I keep it in a pot?

Yes, and it often flowers better for it, because agapanthus performs when slightly root bound. Use a pot 400mm or wider with drainage, and divide every three or four years.

Western Australia: this plant is listed as an environmental weed in WA, where it escapes from gardens into bushland. We do not recommend it for WA gardens. Please choose a local alternative.