About
Agapanthus 'Essence of Summer' is a deciduous, compact perennial that grows in clumps. It features narrow, mid-green leaves and robust stems that support large clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers. These blooms are pale blue-mauve with a darker blue stripe running down the center, typically appearing during the summer months.
About the genus
Agapanthus consists of perennial plants that grow in clusters, featuring long, narrow leaves. Some species maintain their foliage year-round, while others do not. These plants produce upright stems topped with rounded clusters of bell-shaped flowers, which can be blue or white.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
- Toxicity
- Humans/Pets (dogs, cats): harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. In cold areas mulch in winter. In containers, grow in peat-free, loam-based compost. See agapanthus cultivation
- Pruning
- Cut back in autumn as foliage goes brown. Cut back flower spikes as they go over, unless you want to keep seedheads for winter interest
- Propagation
- Sow seed when ripe or in spring, keep in cold frame whilst small and protect in winter. Divide clumps in Spring every two-three years
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to slugs and snails and agapanthus gall midge
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to a virus