Agapanthus Pretty Sandy

Agapanthus 'Pretty Sandy' is a lovely variety of Agapanthus, not very tall but floriferous and very bright under the summer sun. Rather hardy like all deciduous Agapanthus, this pretty plant bears dense umbels of flowers, where each flower of purple colour is striped with a deeper mauve, a colour reminiscent of wood hyacinths. This selection will easily find its place in the garden, even when space is limited, or in a nice pot on the terrace. It will thrive in full sun, in ordinary but well-drained soil, not too dry in summer.

Agapanthus are plants of the lily family native to South Africa. Several species have been extensively hybridized by horticulturists in search of new colours, more compact and hardier plants, better adapted to our climates. The 'Pretty Sandy' cultivar develops and multiplies rapidly from a stump with fleshy rhizomes, forming from spring onwards a dense clump of linear foliage, of a shiny dark green, with a minimum diameter of 30-40cm, expanding over time. Flowering takes place in summer, in July-August. Numerous thin but sturdy floral stems, approximately 50cm (20in) high, emerge from the foliage clump. They bear at their tip hemispherical umbels, 8-10cm (3-4in) in diameter, composed of 40 to 50 small campanulate flowers. Each flower is composed of 6 petals of light purple colour crossed by a more violet median line. The foliage of this deciduous variety completely disappears in winter.

Agapanthus 'Pretty Sandy' will quickly become a star of the garden: with its bright ball-like inflorescences that protrude from a well-filled clump, it is the only thing you see. In addition to its generous flowering, it has good hardiness, down to about -12°C (10.4°F). This plant will bring an exotic touch to borders. It will easily adapt to many regions that are not too cold, especially if its stump is protected by a thick winter mulch. Whether in a border, as an edging, in a large rockery, in a pot or planter, Agapanthus is suitable for a wide range of uses. It is particularly suited to mild coastal climates. 'Pretty Sandy' is very beautiful when combined with other compact varieties of deep blue, mauve or white in a minimalist setting. It is also very decorative in beds with an exotic feel, with Kniphofias, Hemerocallises, grasses and Cannas.