Surprise Agapanthus

Surprise Agapanthus (Agapanthus 'Surprise') is a hardy clumping perennial with strappy leaves and rounded summer flowerheads, and the colour is a lucky dip. It is one of the named agapanthus varieties, but until it flowers you will not know whether it is white, any shade of blue or deep purple. Clumps reach 0.5m to 1.5m high and wide, so allow room for the larger end.

Why you'll love it

• A flower colour to discover. White, blue or purple, revealed only when the first heads open, which suits gardeners happy to wait and see.
• Summer colour. Long smooth stems carry rounded heads made up of many individual florets, a reliable splash of colour when many gardens are tiring.
• Surprisingly hardy. It copes with cold and dry conditions, though growth is restricted in either, and it is worth a go in most protected areas.
• Low maintenance. No pruning, only the removal of dead leaves, and a division when a garden clump grows too big.
• Good in pots. Large containers suit it, and root restriction is said to improve flowering.

Where it works best

Mass plantings. Plant 80cm apart in drifts for a sweep of summer colour. In a large planting, a mix of whites, blues and purples can look quite deliberate.

Driveways and paths. Line a drive or pathway with a single row at the same 80cm spacing. The strappy foliage gives a clean edge, and the clumps can be divided later to extend the planting.

Pots and mixed borders. Use a large pot on a patio, or tuck it into a flower border where the flowers can rise above lower plants.

Growing Surprise Agapanthus in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It is tolerant of cold and dry conditions, so it suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, though growth is slower where it is very cold or dry.

Soil. Well drained soil that is not too rich in organic matter. Mulch and fertilise lightly when planting, and go easy with the fertiliser afterwards.

Water and feed. Water regularly while it establishes, then rely on rainfall in most gardens. Potted plants need more regular watering in summer.

Pruning and division. Pull away dead leaves to tidy potted plants and lift and divide garden clumps when they grow too large. Some agapanthus self-seed in mild, moist areas, so remove spent flowerheads before seed sets, especially near bushland. The sap can irritate skin.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Surprise Agapanthus as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tubes are the economical way to plant a drive or a border, but the clump needs time to build, so the first flowers may take a couple of seasons. Plants travel upright and settle quickly in warm weather.

Plants are 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

• Agapanthus: choosing, planting and keeping it in flower
• See the full agapanthus range
• More plants for mass planting
• Low maintenance plants for easy gardens

Common questions

What colour will it be?

That is the surprise. Agapanthus flowers range from white through shades of blue to deep purple, and this variety does not reveal its colour until it first flowers. If you need a particular colour, choose a variety sold with its colour named.

How big will it get?

Between 0.5m and 1.5m high and wide, depending on the variety it turns out to be. Allow about 80cm between plants, which suits most clumps and leaves room to divide them later.

Is it safe for pets?

No. Agapanthus is mildly toxic if eaten and the sap can irritate skin. Keep it away from pets and children who chew plants, and wear gloves when dividing clumps.