Agapanthus 'BLUESTORM'® African blue lily

African blue lily is one of the most attractive summer plants. This perennial is from southern Africa where less hardy species are grown. Bluestorm®, however, is a variety from Australia, bred by Anthony Tesselaar and offers extremely long flowering period.

Bluestorm® offers 70 cm tall sturdy stems with about 10 cm wide heads with violet-blue campanulate flowers. The stems are strong enough to withstand rain and wind without breakage. In our Central-European conditions it starts flowering in mid July and continues for unbelievable 60 days which makes it a top ten flowering plant for summer months. It looks great planted near a swimming pool, at a line along stone-paved path, or as a specimen perennial between taller shrubs or trees. Grass-like leaves are 2cm wide and about 30 cm tall, deep green and healthy, providing a luxurious, exotic image. The plant grows into a compact clump that gets wider with age, producing more and more stems with profusion of flowers.

Grow agapanthus in fertile, very well-drained soil. In too wet or boggy soil it will most certainly die. The plant benefits from regular watering and fertilizing from spring until end summer. Though, once established it withstands drought. In winter tie up all the leaves together and mulch the plant with a rich layer of bark mulch. The best protection is a polystyrene cap to be put over the plant in autumn which will increase winter hardiness and the plant will emerge earlier in the spring. Agapanthus will survive down to -20°C with protection.

Last update 28-04-2010