New Agapanthus with new traits are appearing from different hybridizers and growers. 'Twister' aka 'Indigo Frost' with it's blue-tipped white flowers was a introduction from Quinton Bean of De Wet Aloe Farm in Linbro Park, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Cold-hardy is another newer offering. 'Beyond Green' of Oregon introduced 'Blue Yonder' saying it is zone 5 hardy (and has another wow! new trait: repeat flowering).
The latest-greatest appearing in our area are repeat flowering cultivars.
Agapanthus flowers all summer long--not just for June--wowza!
The "Sunset Plant Collection" offers several--'Ever Sapphire' is one.
Altman Plants is offering 'Atomic Bloom' at my local home improvement store--I bought one to see how it performs--if it really will rebloom--though to be fair it may need to establish itself first--that has been true of many plants in this garden, including even reblooming roses.
Will you live up to the hype?
Altman describes it as 'semi dwarf'--not too big, not tiny--a good size for medium to small gardens.
There you go kiddo. Show me your stuff.
More innovations to come, like color. Introduced in at UK's RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year is 'Black Jack' by De Wet Breeders. Deep purple-black flowers extend its bloom time via up to 100 florets per umbel. This cultivar is expected to be offered in the US soon.
In a few years what seems revolutionary to those of us California gardeners who have long known Agapanthus as the flowering event of June and June only, may be just another repeat flowering plant to others. Huh. How 'bout that?
I'm pretty excited about 'Black Jack' myself. However, other than one Twister' and one 'Elaine', most of my Agapanthus noID plants that came with the garden. I'd like to trade some of mine out over time. My first Agapanthus opened on June 10th this year but most of the rest came on board toward the end of June into early July, late like a lot of other flowers this year. I'll be interested to see if the so-called repeat bloomers are actually reliable - I can't claim a lot of luck with repeat blooming Iris or daylilies (except Hemerocallis 'Spanish Harlem').
ReplyDeleteYes 'Black Jack' looks very pretty!
DeleteYes, will they actually repeat in a satisfactory way?
Some of the Hems are reliable. It's important to deadhead so they do not form seed pods--at least in my garden--and some fertilizer helps too. Ditto for the Iris.
Good to know about the cold-hardy variety. Thanks. It's a great statement plant. 'Atomic Bloom' is lovely...good luck!
ReplyDeleteHere it is often a mass planting in even non-gardener's yards because it spreads and offsets and replaces other less successful plants and so there are many many quite impressive "statements" at this time of year (a bit late because of our cool spring).
DeleteI envy your ability to grow agapanthus. Huge amount of work here to give them enough time and heat to bloom. Look forward to seeing how your newbies perform
ReplyDeleteWell there is plenty you can grow I can't. Beautiful plants for every climate. That is a wonderful thing, isn't it?
DeleteFingers crossed for rebloom! (Are Peonies next?)