Agapanthus Blue Moon

Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis 'Blue Moon' offers a late and quite unusual flowering: its compact umbels, carried by robust stems, bear flowers of a very pale grey-blue, a delicate colour with lunar accents that perfectly matches that of dark blue or white varieties. Its broad and ribbon-like foliage, which forms a beautiful bunch of greenery, is mostly deciduous. This variety is only moderately hardy, it will thrive on a sunny terrace, or in beds under mild climates, in well-drained soil that remains moist during the growth and flowering period.

Both originating from South Africa, Agapanthus umbellatus (or africanus) should not be confused with Agapanthus praecox, even though these two species naturally hybridize in the wild or in our gardens. Agapanthus praecox subsp orientalis is a robust plant that grows in South Africa, from the Cape Province to Natal.

The recent hybrid cultivar 'Blue Moon' develops and multiplies quite rapidly from a stump with fleshy rhizomes, forming a dense clump of linear foliage, quite wide, of a bright green, with a minimum diameter of 50cm (20in), expanding over time. Flowering generally begins in July, sometimes in August-September depending on the regions. This variety is often the last to bloom in the garden. Solid stems, 80cm (32in) to 1m (3ft) high, carry at their ends compact, hemispherical, and dense umbels where about thirty small, campanulate, very pale grey-blue flowers are tightly packed, carried by long peduncles. Agapanthus is a flowering plant capable of living up to 75 years. Its powerful roots can lift the paving of a pathway.

Agapanthus 'Blue Moon', with its late flowering in a beautiful mother-of-pearl tone that dominates a well-furnished clump, lacks elegance. It harmonizes with all the colours of the garden. It is appreciated in beds, but also in a pot on the terrace where it brings an exotic touch. Unfortunately, it is semi-hardy and disappears below -8°C (17.6°F), which is why it should be given a protected and south-facing location, and an thick mulch should be placed at its base. Whether in beds, borders, large rockeries, pots, or planters, Agapanthus is suitable for a wide variety of uses. It is particularly suitable for mild coastal climates. 'Blue Moon' is very beautiful when associated with other variegated or non-variegated varieties, with white, mauve, or dark blue flowers in a minimalist setting. It is also very decorative in beds with an exotic connotation, with Kniphofias, Hemerocallis, Crocosmias, or Tulbaghia.