Agapanthus Donau

Agapanthus 'Donau' is a variety of Agapanthus that is particularly hardy and vigorous. In summer, it produces large umbels of pale blue flowers streaked with dark blue, which blend into a pure and celestial blue. Its abundant, ribbon-like foliage, of a vibrant green, forms opulent clumps that are decorative even outside of the flowering period, from spring to the end of summer. This sturdy and generous variety perfectly embodies the exotic splendor of these wonderful South African plants. Invite it into your garden or in a container on the terrace! 

This hybrid Agapanthus belongs to the allium family (lily family) and descends from different species native to South Africa, including Agapanthus campanulatus, a fairly tall plant native to the Natal province. It is a deciduous herbaceous plant in winter, perennial from its stump. 'Donau', introduced by W. Schoehuys nurseries (Netherlands), is one of the hardiest varieties, with its stump being able to withstand short frosts of around -12°/-15°C under a thick protective mulch. Deciduous Agapanthus plants are generally more cold-resistant than evergreen ones, which require dry soil in winter, but they are less resistant to summer drought.

Agapanthus 'Donau' develops in spring from a short rhizome with fleshy roots. It forms a dense clump of linear, ribbon-like, short foliage, with a minimum diameter of 50cm, expanding over time. Each leaf can reach a length of 30cm (12in) and a width of 1cm (1in). When in bloom, it reaches a height of approximately 80cm (32in). It is in the middle of summer, in July-August, that solid floral stems appear, crowned with umbels measuring 15-20cm (6-8in) in diameter, hemispherical in shape, consisting of 40 to 60 small campanulate flowers in a pale blue colour streaked with ultramarine blue, carried by long peduncles. The foliage turns yellow and then disappears in autumn.

The hybrid Agapanthus 'Donau' can be used in the back of flower beds or to highlight the layout of pathways. It blends well with all types of decor, even the most modern, as long as they are bathed in sunlight. It can be placed in large pots on the terrace, in a pretty wide pottery that allows the plant to produce numerous floral stems. This cultivation method has the advantage of being able to overwinter the plant in a region that is too cold for it. It is a plant that thrives by the seaside, in an English cottage, and even in a city garden. When cut and placed in a vase, the flowers bring freshness and a lot of originality to the house. Left in place, the faded inflorescences will decorate the dormant flower beds during winter.