Agapanthus Glacier Stream

Agapanthus 'Glacier Stream' is undoubtedly the first agapanthus that combines good cold resistance, vigorous growth with numerous floral stems approaching one metre in height, and a flowering where a touch of pink appears. Its flowers, white when they open, indeed become tinged with pink-mauve at the tips of the petals over the course of hours, while the floral stems darken. This magnificent flowering shows excellent resistance to bad weather. The cold resistance of this variety, up to -15°C when the plant is mature, allows it to be planted in the ground in many regions, provided that the soil is well-drained and the stump is protected by mulch in winter. This very different Agapanthus will undoubtedly surprise visitors, whether planted in a bed or in a flowering pot on the terrace.

Agapanthus plants belong to the lily family and are native to South Africa, where they naturally hybridize in nature or in our gardens. Agapanthus 'Glacier Stream' is a Dutch cultivar registered in 1995, recently introduced to the market. Note that this selection, in addition to its hardiness and original colour, is rather early and particularly floriferous.

This plant develops and multiplies rapidly from a stump with fleshy rhizomes, forming a dense tuft of linear, arched leaves, dark green and purplish at the base, at least 40cm (16in) in height and 45cm (18in) in diameter, expanding over time. The deciduous foliage disappears in winter. The abundant flowering takes place in summer, in July-August, more or less early depending on the climate, and lasts 4 to 5 weeks. Sturdy floral stems, about 90cm (35in) tall, bear at their tips umbels 12 to 15cm (5 to 6in) in diameter, composed of slightly drooping, bell-shaped flowers carried by long peduncles. The colour of the stems and peduncles gradually changes from green to purple-violet. Each white flower shows a fine median stripe of light violet, and the tips of the petals become pale pink-mauve. The stamens change from grey to almost black, creating an interesting contrast with the pastel flowers.

Agapanthus 'Glacier Stream' is an unusual and highly ornamental variety, to be adopted without hesitation in many regions, including in the ground. In a flower garden, it brings an exotic and light touch to the garden or terrace, while requiring little maintenance. Whether in a bed, border, rockery, pot, or container, the 'Glacier Stream' Agapanthus is suitable for a wide range of uses. It looks beautiful when associated with mauve, white, or blue Agapanthus in a minimalist setting. It is also very decorative in beds with an exotic theme, featuring lilies, Kniphofias, Hemerocallis, shrubby salvias, or Phlomis tuberosa. The flowers of this Agapanthus last a long time in a vase.