Agapanthus 'Blue Ribbon'
African lily 'Blue Ribbon'
An herbaceous perennial 90cm high with evergreen, arching, strap-shaped green leaves 40-50cm long, and round flowerheads about 20cm across of about 50-60 horizontal flowers which are up to 5cm across and pale violet-blue with much darker midribs and dark violet anthers, in late summer

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- 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
- Genus
Agapanthus are clump-forming perennials with narrowly strap-shaped leaves, evergreen in some species, and erect stems bearing umbels of funnel-shaped blue or white flowers
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
In colder areas, grow in containers in peat-free, loam-based compost, water freely when in growth but sparingly in winter, and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly from spring until flowering; in mild areas, grow outside in moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in full sun, and provide winter protection with a dry mulch; for more advice, see Agapanthus cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wall side borders
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required except cutting back dead flower stems, but allow them to remain until spring, because the seedheads look attractive over winter
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs and snails and agapanthus gall midge
Diseases
May be susceptible to a virus
Get involved
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