Agapanthus 'Back in Black'

CHF 7.95

Agapanthus 'Back in Black'

Name: Agapanthus 'Back in Black'
Brand: Agapanthus
Price: 7.95 CHF
Availability: OutOfStock

Agapanthus 'Back In Black'

CHF 7.95

Flower stems darken from green to almost black
Umbels in deep blue-violet, individual flowers around 8 cm
Flowers in July and August
Light, sweetish scent
About 80–100 cm tall, ideal for large containers and sunny borders

'Back in Black' is an agapanthus for anyone looking for something special. Its flower stems darken to almost black over time, and the umbels glow in deep blue-violet. Against the green strap-shaped foliage this creates a strong contrast that is instantly noticed on the terrace and balcony.

About this variety

Anyone seeing 'Back in Black' for the first time looks twice. The buds sit on stems that change over the summer from dark green to almost black. Above them open spherical umbels of funnel-shaped flowers in a very dark blue-violet. The narrow, dark green foliage provides a calm backdrop.

At about 80–100 cm tall, the variety is a container plant with presence. On the terrace it looks particularly refined next to pale terracotta or zinc containers. In a sheltered border, silver-leaved partners such as lavender, cotton lavender or perovskia make the dark violet look even deeper. It also forms a lovely counterpoint to white agapanthus.

The flowers have a light, sweetish scent and attract bees and bumblebees on warm days. Cut, the umbels last a long time in the vase and bring an unusual dark note to summer bouquets. From July to August one bud follows the next.

Planting

Pot up the bare-root plant in April in a large container with free-draining compost for container plants, with the root collar covered by only 2–3 cm. Place the pot somewhere bright and frost-free at first. After the Ice Saints (mid-May), it can go outside to a spot in full sun. In the border, plant 30–40 cm apart, ideally in front of a warm house wall.

Care

Water regularly during growth and give a liquid fertiliser for flowering plants every two weeks until the end of July. Agapanthus does not tolerate waterlogging. Before the first frost, bring the container indoors and overwinter it bright and cool at 5–10 °C, only moderately moist. Repot rarely: agapanthus flowers better when pot-bound.

Specifications

Botanical name: Agapanthus 'Back In Black'
Genus: Agapanthus
Class: Various
Supplied as: Bare roots
Flower colour: Blue, Purple, Black
Flower size: 8 cm
Fragrant: Yes
Fragrance strength: Light
Flowering time: July, August
Flowering season: High summer
Foliage colour: Dark green
Height: 90 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Position: Sun, Partial shade
Suitable for: Bed, Bed edge and border, Pot and container, Wildlife garden and meadow, Rock garden, Cottage garden, Cutting garden
Soil type: Loamy, Sandy
Drainage: Well-drained
Soil moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil note: Suitable for many Swiss garden soils. A loose structure and good drainage matter more than a particular soil type.
Planting time: April, May
Planting depth: Cover the root collar with 2–3 cm of soil
Spacing: 30–40 cm
Number per m²: 7
Hardiness in Switzerland: Only for mild, sheltered sites
Hardiness by location: Moderately hardy, winter protection needed
Hardiness zone (USDA): 4–7
Overwintering note: Generally hardy in garden soil in Switzerland. At high, windy sites and in containers, plan extra winter protection and avoid winter wet.
For containers: Only partly suitable for containers
Container note: Only recommended in a sufficiently large, stable, well-drained container.
Cut flower: Suitable as a cut flower
Naturalising: Not suitable
Naturalising note: Persists for several years in a suitable spot, but does not normally spread over larger areas on its own.
For bees and butterflies: Pollinator-friendly