Agapanthus Blue Storm

The Blue Storm Agapanthus is an interesting variety of Agapanthus for the duration of its flowering period, which lasts for more than three months in summer. In this fairly compact selection, the ball-shaped inflorescences gather dozens of small campanulate flowers in a pale blue colour with darker mauve stripes. Like all evergreen Agapanthus, Bluestorm is not very hardy, but it offers a beautiful cluster of narrow dark green leaves, even in winter. Perfect for large pots on the terrace, or planted in small groups near high-traffic areas, this plant should be planted in well-drained soil, in full sun, and should never lack water during its growth period.

Agapanthus belong to the lily family. The hybrid variety Blue Storm forms a cluster of fairly narrow and linear leaves, with a glossy dark green colour, reaching a height of about 50cm (20in), which remains very ornamental even in winter. The spherical umbels are 10-12cm (4-5in) wide and are carried by stems about 60-70cm (24-28in) long, which are sturdy and extend well beyond the foliage. Flowering often begins in June and continues until September. The blue flower buds unfold into numerous iridescent trumpets, ranging in color from sky blue to mauve. Each petal is marked with a darker central line. The stamens, of the same blue-mauve colour, are terminated by dark anthers.

This evergreen variety is only moderately hardy (down to about -7°C (19.4°F)). Plant it either in a pot to be stored during winter and placed on a sunny terrace in summer, or in the ground, in a warm and well-drained soil. It is a plant that thrives by the seaside, in an English cottage, and even in a city garden, used as a focal point on a terrace, in an exotic or contemporary style. It pairs well with perennials. When cut and placed in a vase, the flowers will bring freshness and a lot of originality to the house.