White Agapanthus: 7 varieties to discover

Agapanthus africanus 'Albus', an essential classic

With its large white umbels 15 cm in diameter positioned well above the leaves, Agapanthus africanus or umbellatus ‘Albus’ must 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. Leaves are semi-evergreen to evergreen depending on weather conditions. Because of its limited hardiness (-5°C), this agapanthus will thrive in mild climates, particularly by the coast. North of the Loire, it should be grown in a pot or planter.

It will look splendid with, for example, Buenos Aires verbena or other agapanthus in blue or mauve tones for a pared-back style.

(Photo Maria de la lue wischnew)

Agapanthus 'Graphite White', a very graphic variety

Agapanthus ‘Graphite White’ is a hybrid of rare elegance reaching 90 cm in height, with dark flower stems with a tin‑coloured sheen. These set off the whiteness of the large 10 to 15 cm umbels and form a striking contrast with its vivid green foliage. In autumn, the deciduous foliage dies back.

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

It will pair very well with Agapanthus ‘Graphite Blue’ and also with light‑toned grasses, such as Stipa or feather grass, which will bring out the dark stems of this uncommon beauty. Also consider topiary to accompany these graphic Agapanthus and create a very minimalist, contemporary garden.

Agapanthus 'Pitchoune White', compact variety with great potential

Agapanthe ‘Pitchoune White’ has a more compact habit than most agapanthus, making it ideal for borders or container growing. When flowers open, it reaches 60 cm in height at most and therefore fits perfectly into small spaces.

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

Hardy down to -5°C, this Agapanthe can be planted at front of beds in regions with mild winters and grown in a pot elsewhere. Choose a container large enough to allow plant to produce handsome flower stems.

Agapanthe ‘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 lavender cotton or pinks.

Agapanthus 'Queen Mum', a rare, delicate touch of blue

Here is a rare variety! Indeed, Agapanthus ‘Queen Mum’ is one of the few agapanthus to bear bicoloured flowers: bluish at the base and pure white at the tip. Flowering lasts from June to August, much to the delight of the eye.

This large agapanthus, 1 m tall at maturity, is not very hardy (-5°C). It therefore suits coastal gardens or town gardens better. However, its foliage is evergreen in mild climates, so it still provides interest in the garden even in winter.

This agapanthus can be paired with other flowers in blue or mauve tones, such as Nepeta or Delphinium, for a delicate English cottage garden.

Agapanthus 'Enigma', a bicolour flowering throughout the season

Agapanthus Enigma is another bicolour agapanthus, but here the flowers change colour over the season. Large umbels composed of around thirty flowers are almost entirely white at the start of flowering and become slightly bluish over time. Additionally, bronze-coloured peduncles provide a striking contrast that draws the eye.

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

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

Agapanthus 'Strawberry Ice', probably the first agapanthus with pink hues.

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

The clump of strap-like leaves is evergreen and its habit is erect rather than trailing. In addition, it has several advantages: in summer it tolerates drought better than deciduous forms, and in winter, thanks to its evergreen foliage, it remains eye-catching. It is also relatively hardy down to -10°C, making it possible to grow in open ground in many regions. Nothing stops 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 look, it pairs very well with other Agapanthus varieties in mauve, white or blue.

Agapanthus 'Windsor Grey', with a thousand iridescent sparkles

Agapanthus ‘Windsor Grey’ is exuberant and fascinating! Its giant umbels measure 18 cm in diameter and display an elusive hue, a white‑blue slightly greyed. In sunshine they seem to shimmer, as if dusted with iridescent sparkles. Before fading, they even take on a surprising light pink tinge. Flowering occurs from August to September. Its habit is vigorous, with sturdy flower stems reaching 1.10 m in height, and the light‑green semi‑evergreen foliage partially dies back in autumn. Moreover, thanks to its fairly good hardiness, this agapanthus adapts to planting in ground in most regions, provided it receives suitable winter protection.

The vigour of this agapanthus makes it an ideal variety to give a contemporary feel to gardens, for example when paired with grasses in grey‑blue tones 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 a striking focal point, and this also makes it easier to protect over winter. Because of its substantial size, Agapanthus ‘Windsor Grey’ finds its place at the back of borders or in the middle ground surrounded by companions with grey foliage. They are, moreover, splendid cut flowers that will look magnificent in a bouquet.