Agapanthus ‘Blue’

Agapanthus 'Blue' (Agapanthus africanus) is the workhorse perennial of Australian driveways, paths and coastal beds, and there is a reason it is everywhere: almost nothing kills it. Strappy evergreen clumps sit at about 60cm wide, sending blue to purple flower heads up to 80cm through summer. Planted 40cm apart it becomes a solid, weed suppressing border that repeats reliably for decades.

Why you'll love it

• Near indestructible. Frost, drought, heat, salt wind and poor soil all leave it unbothered once established.
• A proper summer show. Globes of blue trumpet flowers stand above the foliage for weeks, right through the outdoor entertaining season.
• Weed suppressing foliage. The evergreen strap leaves close over the soil, so an established border largely looks after itself.
• Wildlife works it. Bees and butterflies feed at the flowers, and birds move through established plantings.
• Cheap to plant at scale. Tubes make long runs affordable, and packs of larger pots give a faster finished look.

Where it works best

Borders and driveways. Plant 40cm apart in single or double rows for the classic massed edge along a drive or path.

Mass planting. On banks and broad beds it covers ground densely with minimal upkeep, one clump indistinguishable from the next.

Coastal gardens and pots. Salt tolerance makes it dependable near the beach, and a single clump fills a large pot with structure and summer flowers.

Growing Agapanthus 'Blue' in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the heaviest flowering; light shade is tolerated with fewer heads. It performs across subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean climates and is fully frost hardy.

Soil. Truly unfussy. Any soil short of a bog will do, though better drainage improves winter performance in cold, wet districts.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer. Established clumps get by on natural rain in most areas. Feed once in spring with a complete fertiliser if you want the maximum flower count.

Pruning. Cut spent flower stems at the base once they finish. This keeps borders tidy and stops seed setting, which matters because self sown seedlings can appear where they are not wanted. Divide crowded clumps every four or five years in winter.

What to expect when it arrives

Choose from single tubes, 140mm pots in packs of ten, or 200mm pots in packs of six. Tubes are the budget route for long borders and usually take a season or two to reach flowering size; the potted packs arrive as established clumps that flower much sooner. Agapanthus travel exceptionally well because their fleshy roots store moisture.

Orders are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the agapanthus range
• Plants for mass planting
• Coastal and salt tolerant plants
• More drought tolerant plants

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a border?

40cm apart gives a solid massed border within a couple of seasons. For a double row, stagger the second line so the clumps interlock as they grow.

Is agapanthus safe for pets?

No. The sap and rhizomes are toxic to cats and dogs if chewed, so it is not the right plant for pet runs or gardens with a determined digger.

How do I stop it self seeding?

Remove spent flower heads before seed matures, cutting each stem at the base. It takes a few minutes per season and keeps seedlings out of bushland and neighbouring beds.

When will tube stock flower?

Most tubes flower in their second summer once the clump has bulked up. The 140mm and 200mm packs are the faster route to first flowers.

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.