FLIMBY: Easy-care perennial adds blue fireworks to garden

This is another installment in our Flowers in My Back Yard series, devoted to everything that blooms.

What’s blue and blooms on the Fourth of July? That was my challenge when I decided I wanted to grow a patriotic-toned flower border in red, white and blue that I could also pick for midsummer bouquets.

I had red roses and white Shasta daisies. For blue, I chose a flower that resembles a burst of fireworks – agapanthus. Those big, blue bloom clusters add pow to the garden and wow to floral arrangements.

This summer bloomer is so ubiquitous in local landscapes originally planted in the 1980s or ’90s that it’s often dismissed. But agapanthus actually has a lot to offer. It’s easy care, practically pest proof and deer resistant, can cope with low-water conditions and blooms for months from June into fall.

Its blue tones and flower shape – clusters of tubular or bell-shaped blooms – contrast well with other summer bloomers such as daylilies, daisies and roses. Agapanthus blooms last a long time in the garden and in the vase as a cut flower. In addition to their summer beauty, agapanthus produces attractive dried flower stems – another plus for floral arrangers.

Agapanthus also is a big plus for pollinators. Each globe-like cluster contains dozens of nectar-filled florets – a favorite of bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Besides several shades of blue, agapanthus also comes in violet and purple tones as well as white, pink and striped combinations. It can range in height from dwarf varieties under 1 foot tall to up to 3 or 4 feet high. The strappy foliage of evergreen varieties looks lush and tropical year round. At higher elevations, deciduous varieties are cold resistant.

Nicknamed Lily of the Nile or African lily, agapanthus is actually not a lily or from the Nile region. It’s a member of the amaryllis family native to South Africa. It’s no accident agapanthus thrives in California; we have the same Mediterranean climate as Cape of Good Hope.

Europeans discovered agapanthus in the late 1600s and instantly were charmed. Its Latin name is derived from the Greek words meaning “flower of love.”

Like bearded iris, agapanthus grows from fat, finger-like rhizomes. Once established, it re-blooms reliably for years. It prefers its roots to be cramped (as long as they have good drainage) and grows well in pots.

Agapanthus grown from seed can take five years or more to bloom. So, most new plants are produced by root division.

The most common varieties are the true blue tones – ‘Peter Pan,’ ‘Donau’ (blue with a dark stripe), ‘Blue Triumphator,’ ‘Elaine’ (dark blue), ‘Blue Bayou,’ ‘Blue Storm,’ ‘Blue Flare’ and ‘Baby Blue’ (a mini only 8 inches tall). ‘Albus,’ ‘Albiflorus’ and ‘White Superior’ bear pure white blooms. Hybridizers strive to perfect pink varieties, such as ‘Blush Pink’ and ‘Poppin’ Pink.’

Agapanthus can be transplanted almost anytime. Divide root clumps in fall after plants finally stop blooming.

These perennials prefer sandy soil but almost any soil with good drainage will do. They prefer full sun, but will tolerate partial shade as long as they get four hours of sun a day. Plant rhizomes 1 inch deep and at least 12 inches apart; larger varieties should be spaced 2 to 3 feet apart. Although they tolerate drought, agapanthus prefers evenly moist soil – as do most summer flowers. That helps them blend into mixed borders or cottage cutting gardens.

No matter how pretty their color, don’t eat agapanthus. Like other members of the amaryllis family, agapanthus can be toxic to people and pets. Their sap can cause skin irritation. When working with agapanthus (such as dividing their root clumps or trimming spent flower stems), wear gloves.