Agapanthus Southern Cross

Agapanthus 'Southern Cross' is a new variety of deciduous and hardy Agapanthus, well adapted to open-ground cultivation in many of our regions. This not very tall plant bears well-filled small umbels in the heart of summer, with a particularly bright light lavender blue colour. It is a perennial with exotic charm, yet easy to grow in the sun and in well-drained soil. It will bring a beautiful touch of light to borders and sunny terraces.

Agapanthus 'Southern Cross' is a recent horticultural hybrid, selected in England for its hardiness and early flowering, starting from the first year of cultivation. Its ancestors are originating, like all Agapanthus, from South Africa. It develops from a stump with fleshy rhizomes, forming a dense clump of deciduous, linear, ribbon-like foliage, at least 40cm (16in) in diameter, expanding over time. Each leaf, deciduous, can reach 40cm (16in) in length and 1cm (1in) in width. Flowering takes place in summer, in July-August. Sturdy stems 70 to 80cm (28 to 32in) high bear at their ends small spherical, dense umbels, 10cm (4in) in diameter, composed of small campanulate flowers initially mauve, fading to lavender blue, traversed by lines of darker blue, carried by long peduncles. The stamens bear black anthers that further emphasize the bright blue of the flowers.

Agapanthus 'Southern Cross' is an easy-to-care-for plant, with both exotic and candid flowering. The bright colour of the flowers and their abundance will bring an elegant touch to your borders, alongside other varieties with white or dark blue flowers. Hardy, it withstands temperatures of around -12°C (10.4°F) for a short period without weakening. It can be planted in open ground in a not too harsh climate. In colder regions, it should be given a well-protected and south-facing location, and an thick mulch should be placed at its base. Whether in borders, edging, large rockeries, or in a large pot, Agapanthus is suitable for a wide range of uses. It is particularly well adapted to coastal climates.