Agapanthus Graphite Blue

This Graphite® Blue Agapanthus is part of a new series of hybrid Agapanthus selected for their excellent cold resistance and floribundity, as well as their curiously dark floral stems that create a beautiful contrast with the tuft of light and vibrant green leaves. Hardy down to -15°C, with deciduous foliage, this perennial produces large umbels of vibrant blue bell-shaped flowers in early summer, adorned with bicoloured blooms, blue with a white centre. This highly graphic plant is suitable for planting in the ground in many regions and will bring a touch of exoticism to sunny flower beds as well as potted arrangements. 

The Graphite® Blue Agapanthus ('Turk8' PBR) is a recently developed horticultural creation in France by Ernest Turc and published by Sapho®. It is a hybrid, likely with genes from Agapanthus campanulatus, native to South Africa but particularly hardy.

Graphite Blue is a deciduous plant that develops in spring, emerging from a stump with fleshy rhizomes. It forms a dense clump of linear, ribbon-like, light green foliage, with a minimum diameter of 50-60cm (20-24in), expanding over time. Each leaf can reach 45cm (18in) in length and 1.5cm (1in) in width. Flowering occurs in summer, typically in June-July. Sturdy stems 80cm (32in) to 1m (3ft) tall emerge from the leaf clump. They display a dark grey colour, almost black like graphite, and bear beautiful spherical umbels 10 to 15cm (4 to 6in) in diameter. Each umbel consists of about thirty small blue and white bell-shaped flowers carried on long peduncles. The foliage turns yellow and disappears in autumn.

The Graphite Blue Agapanthus is stunning in the garden with its large, boldly blue flowers and dark stems rising above a well-filled clump. Together, they provide a truly elegant touch to your flower beds, especially when paired with the Graphite White variety, its white-flowered counterpart. Highly hardy, it withstands temperatures around -12/-15°C without weakening, which is why it can be planted in the ground almost anywhere in France. In very cold regions, it should be given a protected south-facing location, and a thick mulch should be applied at its base. Whether in flower beds, borders, large rock gardens, pots, or containers, Agapanthus is suitable for a wide range of uses. It is particularly well-suited to coastal climates.