Agapanthus Orientalis Storm Cloud African Lily

Agapanthus Orientalis Storm Cloud is a summer-blooming perennial with evergreen strappy foliage and dramatic large dark blue flowers from May to August. It’s stunning in a border and grows well in a plant container.

Agapanthus are native to South Africa hence their more common name African Lily. There are many different varieties of beautiful agapanthus and the Orientails variety is the most common.  African Lily Orientalis Storm Cloud is especially striking with its large moody blue ‘storm cloud’ flowers held high on long, fleshy stems.  

Each large flowerhead is made of many small trumpet-shaped flowers that are adored by large bumblebees and dry out to create skeletons for flower arrangers in autumn. Its flowers emerge in early May and bloom until late August above a clump of dark-green strappy foliage.

African Lily Orientalis Storm Cloud is a large variety of agapanthus and one of the best for dark blue blooms.

Height And Spread of Agapanthus Orientalis Storm Cloud
This is a large variety of agapanthus that’ll reach 1.2 metres tall by half a metre wide within 2-5 years.

How Hardy Is Agapanthus Orientalis Storm Cloud
Agapanthus Orientalis Storm Cloud is hardy down to minus temperatures in most of the UK. In colder areas, a thick layer of mulch around the crown will help protect it in freezing winters.

How To Use Agapanthus Orientalis Storm Cloud
Agapanthus are pretty, versatile perennials that suit all types of garden design. Dramatic Storm Cloud suits a sunny, well-drained border and is one of the few plants that enjoy restricted root run in a container. Plant yours in a container on the balcony, deck, or patio and in the border for a flower-filled summer garden that attracts bumblebees and plenty of other pollinators too. Agapanthus are also excellent coastal plants as they are native to the coastline. They’re able to tolerate salt and coastal breezes by bending with the warm wind.

How to Care For Agapanthus Orientalis Storm Cloud
Agapanthus Orientalis Storm Cloud can cope with an exposed spot if the wind isn’t freezing and likes a sunny well-drained position to flower well. A south or west-facing area is best to catch the most sunlight.
Pruning isn’t required but you can tidy up any dead foliage as it goes over. Its flower heads dry out and you can leave them to bring structure to a winter garden or pick and arrange them in vases.
Apply a thick layer of mulch to the roots in winter and water well until it’s established. If you grow yours in the border but it doesn’t flower, try digging it up and replanting it in a buried container because agapanthus often enjoys tight, cosy roots.