Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd
Agapanthus 'Big Blue'
Agapanthus 'Big Blue'
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Agapanthus 'Big Blue' (African Lily)
If you want to recreate the feeling of a Cornish holiday or a Mediterranean terrace, Agapanthus is essential. 'Big Blue' is a vigorous, statement variety that lives up to its name, producing large, spherical heads of deep violet-blue trumpets that look like fireworks frozen in mid-explosion.
Held high on strong, sturdy stems above strap-like foliage, these blooms add instant height and drama to borders or patios. They are incredibly robust, drought-tolerant once established, and are famously one of the few plants that actually flower better when their roots are restricted in a pot.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Agapanthus is a Clump-forming Perennial.
Originating from South Africa, they are built for sun and heat. 'Big Blue' is typically a deciduous variety (loses leaves in winter), which makes it hardier than the evergreen types as the foliage doesn't get damaged by frost. It returns every spring, getting bigger and producing more flower stems year after year.
The "Love Flower": The name comes from the Greek *agape* (love) and *anthos* (flower). It is certainly hard not to love them.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Plant and Grow
Agapanthus are fussy about one thing only: Sun.
Planting:
Plant in spring. If growing in pots (recommended), use a loam-based compost (like John Innes No. 2 or 3) mixed with grit. Good drainage is vital—they hate sitting in cold, wet compost in winter.
Where to Plant:
They need full sun. If you plant them in shade, you will get lots of lovely green leaves but zero flowers.
Care While Growing:
Feeding: To get maximum flowers, feed with a high-potash liquid feed (like tomato food) every two weeks from April until the buds show colour. Stop feeding after September to let the plant harden off for winter.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Agapanthus 'Big Blue' |
| Common Name | African Lily |
| Hardiness | H4 (Hardy through most of UK - mulch in winter) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 80cm - 100cm (Tall) |
| Spread | ↔️ 50cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 50cm apart |
| Great for | 🏺 Pots & Containers 🏖️ Coastal Gardens 🧱 Gravel Gardens 🐝 Bees |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
Agapanthus has a strong, solid shape that looks great with lighter textures or contrasting hot colours:
- 🔥 Crocosmia 'Lucifer': The Hot Clash. The brilliant red of Crocosmia blooming alongside the deep blue of Agapanthus creates a vibrating, high-energy display perfect for late summer.
- 🌾 Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass): The Softener. The soft, blonde, wispy grass softens the rigid, strap-like leaves of the Agapanthus. It also echoes the seaside/dune origin of the plant.
📅 Flowering Calendar
Perennial. Flowers appear mid-to-late summer.
| Status | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foliage | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | ||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ The "Pot Bound" Secret
Agapanthus flower best when their roots are slightly congested. If you grow them in a pot, don't be tempted to re-pot them into a much larger container too soon. Let them fill their shoes! If they have too much root space, they will produce leaves at the expense of flowers.
🏆 Wildlife Warrior
While known for their beauty, Agapanthus are also excellent for biodiversity. The tubular flowers are rich in nectar and are particularly loved by bumblebees in late summer when other sources are drying up.
