River Garden White Agapanthus

River Garden White Agapanthus (Agapanthus 'River Garden White') is the edging plant for a driveway, a coastal fence line or any long bed you would rather not fuss over. It forms a strappy clump about 80cm tall and 60cm wide, topped through summer with clean white globes on straight stems. Once established it copes with drought, heat, salt spray and frost.

Why you'll love it

• White reads cleanly at a distance. Blue agapanthus disappears into a green bed from the street, while the white globes hold their shape and lift a dark border.
• It survives what most perennials will not. Frost hardy, drought tolerant, heat tolerant and salt tolerant, so it handles a hot driveway strip or an exposed coastal block.
• Structure all year. The strappy foliage holds the edge of a bed through winter, long after the flowers are done.
• Bees and butterflies work it hard. Each globe carries dozens of small trumpets, open for weeks.

Where it works best

Mass planting and borders. Plant 40cm apart for a continuous run. At that spacing the clumps knit into an unbroken band within two seasons and there is no bare soil left to weed.

Driveways and coastal gardens. Salt and heat tolerance make it one of the few plants that looks presentable along a hot concrete edge or a beachside fence.

Pots and containers. It flowers better slightly root bound, so a 400mm pot carries a clump for years on little more than a feed each spring.

Growing River Garden White Agapanthus in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the most flower spikes. It performs across warm temperate, cool temperate, subtropical and Mediterranean gardens, and is frost hardy in cold southern districts, where the foliage looks tired by late winter before shooting again in spring.

Soil. Almost any soil that drains. Heavy clay that stays wet through winter will rot the crowns, so raise the bed or work coarse compost through it.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer, then only in extended dry spells. A handful of complete fertiliser in early spring is enough for a season of flowers.

Grooming. Cut spent stems at the base once flowering finishes, both for tidiness and to stop seed setting. Divide congested clumps every four or five years in autumn or early spring.

Safety. The sap irritates skin, so wear gloves when dividing or cutting back, and the plant is toxic if eaten. Think twice if small children or foliage chewing pets use the garden.

What to expect when it arrives

It is sold in 140mm pots in packs of ten and 200mm pots in packs of six, which suits the way it is normally used: in numbers, along a run. Each plant arrives as an established young clump rather than a single fan, and it usually will not flower in its first season while the roots take hold.

Expect a full display from the second summer and a solid band by the third. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full agapanthus range to compare colours and heights.
• Read our guide to choosing edging plants.
• See other salt tolerant plants for coastal gardens.
• Compare options for mass planting.

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Space plants 40cm apart for a continuous mass planting or border. For individual clumps with space between them, 60cm suits better.

When does it flower?

Through summer, with the main flush from December to February, a little earlier in subtropical gardens.

Will it set seed and spread?

It can if spent heads are left on. Cut the stems at the base as soon as flowering finishes and the problem does not arise.

Is it safe around pets?

No. Agapanthus is toxic if eaten and the sap irritates skin, so choose something else if you have a dog that chews plants.

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.