White agapanthus: 7 varieties to discover

Agapanthe africanus 'Albus', an unmissable classic

With its large white umbels 15 cm in diameter positioned well above the foliage, Agapanthus africanus or umbellatus ‘Albus’ should not be confused with Agapanthus praecox, even though they tend to hybridise in the wild.

This is a rare form that can reach 1 m in height. Foliage is semi-evergreen to evergreen depending on weather conditions. Due to its limited hardiness (-5°C), this agapanthus will thrive in mild climates, particularly by the seaside. North of the Loire, it should be grown in a pot or planter.

It looks particularly striking with, for example, Buenos Aires verbena or other agapanthuses with blue tones or mauve for a clean, uncluttered look.

(Photo Maria de la lue wischnew)

Agapanthus 'Graphite White', a very graphic variety

Agapanthus ‘Graphite White’ is a rare, elegant hybrid reaching 90 cm in height, with dark flowering stems with a tin-like sheen. These emphasise whiteness of large umbels measuring 10 to 15 cm and form a striking contrast with its bright green foliage. In autumn, deciduous foliage dies back.

Thanks to its hardiness down to -15°C, this variety can be planted in borders in many regions.

It will pair very well with Agapanthus ‘Graphite Blue’ and also with pale-toned grasses, such as Stipa or angel’s hair, which will highlight dark stems of this uncommon beauty. Also consider topiary to accompany these graphic agapanthuses and create a very minimalist, contemporary-style garden.

Agapanthus 'Pitchoune White', compact variety with great potential

Agapanthus ‘Pitchoune White‘ has a more compact habit than most Agapanthus plants, making it ideal for borders or growing in pots. When in flower it reaches up to 60 cm in height and therefore fits perfectly into small spaces.

Its pure white umbels are compact and 12 to 15 cm in diameter. Flowering is very abundant in summer and perpetual until September. Moreover, its evergreen, bright green foliage provides interest in garden or on balcony all year round where winters are mild.

Hardy to -5°C, this Agapanthus can be planted at front of beds in regions with mild winters and grown in pots elsewhere. Choose a container wide enough to allow plant to produce attractive flower stems.

Agapanthus ‘Pitchoune White’ can be paired with its relative ‘Pitchoune Blue’. It also looks superb with hollyhocks or plants with grey or glaucous foliage, such as santolina or pinks.

Agapanthe 'Queen Mum', a rare and delicate touch of blue

Here’s a rare variety! Indeed, Agapanthus ‘Queen Mum’ is one of the few Agapanthus to bear bicoloured flowers: they are bluish at the base and pure white at the tip. Its flowering extends from June to August for great pleasure.

This large Agapanthus, 1 m in height at ripeness, is not very hardy (-5°C). It is therefore better suited to seaside locations or town gardens. However, its foliage is evergreen in a mild climate and therefore retains interest in garden even in winter.

This Agapanthus can be paired with other flowers in blue or mauve tones, such as Nepeta or the Delphinium, for example, and you will create a delicately refined English cottage garden.

Agapanthus 'Enigma', bicolour flowering throughout the season

Agapanthus Enigma is another bicolour agapanthus, but here flowers change colour as season progresses. Large compound umbels of about thirty flowers are almost entirely white at start of flowering and become slightly blue-tinged over time. Moreover, bronze-coloured peduncles, creating contrast, catch the eye.

Clump of dark green linear foliage is evergreen, but it is moderately hardy (-8°C). It will therefore be perfectly suited to a large pot on a terrace. This species particularly appreciates summer rainfall.

With their blue tones, Perovskia and Nepeta will showcase this relatively small agapanthus, whose flowers reach 50 cm in height.

Agapanthus 'Strawberry Ice', probably the first agapanthus with pinkish tones

Here is a small, very original agapanthus recently introduced to market. Agapanthus ‘Strawberry Ice’ bears dense umbels 8 to 10 cm in diameter composed of florets slightly pink at the edges. The cooler the temperatures and the more fully the flowers open, the more noticeable the pink colour.

Clump of strap-shaped leaves is evergreen and its habit is upright, not trailing. Moreover, it combines advantages: in summer it tolerates drought better than forms with deciduous foliage, and in winter, thanks to its evergreen foliage, it continues to draw the eye. It is also relatively hardy down to -10°C, which makes cultivation in open ground possible in many regions. But nothing prevents you placing it in a pot where it will sit majestically on your terrace. Plant reaches 65 cm in height during flowering.

With its pastel tones, it is perfectly at home in a romantic garden, where you can pair it with other plants in pink or purple tones, such as purple coneflower, purple loosestrife or foxglove. For a more modern style, it will combine very well with other agapanthus varieties in mauve, white or blue.

Agapanthus 'Windsor Grey', with a thousand iridescent gleams

Agapanthus ‘Windsor Grey’ is exuberant and fascinating! Its giant umbels measure 18 cm in diameter and display an elusive colour, a slightly greyed white-blue. In sunlight, they seem to shimmer, as if dusted with iridescent sparkles. And before they fade, they take on a surprisingly slight pink tinge. Flowering occurs from August to September. Its habit is vigorous, with sturdy flowering stems reaching 1.10 m in height, and the light green semi-evergreen foliage partially dies back in autumn. Moreover, with relatively good hardiness, this agapanthus will grow in ground in most regions, provided it has suitable winter protection.

Vigour of this agapanthus makes it an ideal variety to give contemporary character to the garden, for example by pairing it with grey-blue toned grasses such as Panicum virgatum. Its very charismatic presence is also perfectly suited to an English cottage garden.

On a terrace, in a large pot that showcases it, it will serve as an essential focal point, and this will also make it easier to shelter for winter. Owing to its substantial size, Agapanthus ‘Windsor Grey’ is ideal at the back of borders or in the second row surrounded by companions with grey foliage. They are, moreover, splendid cut flowers that look magnificent in a bouquet.