Agapanthus Flower of Love

Agapanthus 'Flower of Love' is a small-sized, hardy Agapanthus hybrid that is particularly floriferous. It produces numerous umbels of deep and vibrant blue flowers, one of the deepest blues that can be observed in these plants. Its deciduous foliage in broad, bright green ribbons elegantly covers the ground throughout the growing season. When its flowers appear, usually in July-August, it transforms into a very blue airy bouquet, which has a stunning effect when planted in a border or in a flowerpot. This relatively recent variety, which is very hardy, can be planted directly in the ground, in a sheltered location and with winter protection, in most of our regions. 

Agapanthus plants belong to the lily family and are native to South Africa. They naturally hybridize in the wild or in our gardens. Agapanthus 'Flower of Love' is a recent hybrid cultivar, a sibling of the excellent Agapanthus 'Northern Star'. It stands out for its compact growth and prolific flowering. This plant develops and multiplies rapidly from a stump with fleshy rhizomes, forming a dense clump of linear and thick foliage, with a minimum diameter of 40cm (16in), which expands over time. The abundant flowering takes place in summer, earlier or later depending on the climate, and lasts for about 6 weeks. Sturdy and stout stems, about 50cm (20in) tall, bear light hemispherical umbels at their tips, with a diameter of 10 to 13cm (4 to 5in), composed of about thirty dark ultramarine blue campanulate flowers, carried by long peduncles.

Agapanthus 'Flower of Love' is a delightful hardy variety to incorporate into a flower garden, bringing an exotic and light touch to sunny borders, while requiring little maintenance. It is advisable to choose a somewhat protected and south-facing location for this variety in our coldest regions, and to apply a thick mulch on the stump in winter as a precaution. Whether in a border, a rock garden, a pot or a planter, Agapanthus 'Flower of Love' is suitable for various uses. It looks beautiful when combined with other mauve, white or blue varieties in a minimalist decor. It is also very decorative in exotic-themed borders with  Kniphofias,  Hemerocallis, shrubby salvias or Phlomis fruticosa.