Blue flowering shrubs

The Acorus gramineus 'Hakuro Nishiki' is an attractive, low-growing ornamental plant valued in gardens for its striking variegated foliage and neat, grass-like appearance. Although often mistaken for a true grass, it is actually a member of the sweet flag family and is closely related to Acorus gramineus. This compact plant is particularly useful for adding colour and texture to damp garden areas, pond margins, or containers.

‘Hakuro Nishiki’ forms a small, clump-forming mound of slender, arching leaves that typically grows to around 20–30 cm in height, with a similar spread. The foliage is narrow and strap-like, creating a soft, fountain-shaped habit. What makes this variety especially appealing is its delicate cream, pale yellow, and green variegation, which gives the plant a light and fresh appearance. The variegated leaves can help brighten shaded corners of the garden and contrast beautifully with darker green plants.

This cultivar thrives in moist or damp soil and performs particularly well near water features, along pond edges, or in bog gardens. It can also be grown successfully in containers, provided the compost is kept consistently moist. While it prefers partial shade, it can tolerate full sun in cooler UK climates as long as the soil does not dry out. The plant is generally hardy across most parts of the UK, though some protection from harsh winter winds may help maintain its appearance.

Unlike many flowering garden plants, Acorus gramineus ‘Hakuro Nishiki’ is grown primarily for its foliage rather than its flowers. Any blooms that appear are small and rather inconspicuous.

Maintenance is minimal. Removing old or damaged leaves in spring helps keep the clump tidy and encourages fresh growth. Over time, the plant may also be divided to create new clumps. With its neat habit, elegant foliage, and tolerance of damp conditions, it is a versatile and attractive addition to many gardens.

The Acorus gramineus 'Hakuro Nishiki' is an attractive, low-growing ornamental plant valued in gardens for its striking variegated foliage and neat, grass-like appearance. Although often mistaken for a true grass, it is actually a member of the sweet flag family and is closely related to Acorus gramineus. This compact plant is particularly useful for adding colour and texture to damp garden areas, pond margins, or containers.

‘Hakuro Nishiki’ forms a small, clump-forming mound of slender, arching leaves that typically grows to around 20–30 cm in height, with a similar spread. The foliage is narrow and strap-like, creating a soft, fountain-shaped habit. What makes this variety especially appealing is its delicate cream, pale yellow, and green variegation, which gives the plant a light and fresh appearance. The variegated leaves can help brighten shaded corners of the garden and contrast beautifully with darker green plants.

This cultivar thrives in moist or damp soil and performs particularly well near water features, along pond edges, or in bog gardens. It can also be grown successfully in containers, provided the compost is kept consistently moist. While it prefers partial shade, it can tolerate full sun in cooler UK climates as long as the soil does not dry out. The plant is generally hardy across most parts of the UK, though some protection from harsh winter winds may help maintain its appearance.

Unlike many flowering garden plants, Acorus gramineus ‘Hakuro Nishiki’ is grown primarily for its foliage rather than its flowers. Any blooms that appear are small and rather inconspicuous.

Maintenance is minimal. Removing old or damaged leaves in spring helps keep the clump tidy and encourages fresh growth. Over time, the plant may also be divided to create new clumps. With its neat habit, elegant foliage, and tolerance of damp conditions, it is a versatile and attractive addition to many gardens.

Adiantum aleuticum 'Imbricatum' is a compact and attractive cultivar of the species Adiantum aleuticum, commonly known as the western or Aleutian maidenhair fern. It is valued in ornamental horticulture for its delicate appearance, tidy growth habit and refined texture, making it especially suitable for woodland gardens, shaded borders and container planting.

This deciduous fern forms neat clumps of arching fronds that typically reach around 20–35 cm in height and spread. The fronds are borne on slender, wiry stems that are dark purplish-black to nearly black, a characteristic feature of maidenhair ferns. These glossy stems contrast beautifully with the bright green leaflets, giving the plant a light and elegant appearance.

The cultivar name “Imbricatum” refers to the distinctive arrangement of the leaflets. The small fan-shaped segments are closely set and slightly overlapping, creating a layered or shingled effect along the fronds. This gives the plant a denser and more structured look than many other maidenhair ferns, which tend to have more widely spaced leaflets. The fine texture of the foliage moves gently in the slightest breeze and contributes to a soft, graceful presence in shaded planting schemes.

Like its parent species, this fern prefers cool, moist conditions and thrives in partial to full shade. It grows best in humus-rich, well-drained soil that remains consistently damp but not waterlogged. In garden settings it is often planted beneath trees, along shaded paths, or in rock gardens where moisture is reliable and direct sun is limited.

In spring, fresh fronds emerge as tightly coiled fiddleheads that gradually unfurl into their characteristic fan-shaped form. The foliage remains attractive through the growing season before dying back in autumn. Although delicate in appearance, the plant is reasonably hardy and can tolerate cold winter conditions when grown in suitable soil and shelter.

Agapanthus Black Jack, better known as African Lily, is an attractive evergreen perennial with strap-like, glossy green leaves, and deep purple trumpet-shaped flowers that appear in summer or early autumn on stiff, upright stalks. The florets open from black buds. The foliage is beautiful even when the plant is not in bloom.  African Lily prefers fertile, moist and well-drained soil. In hot climates, it needs partial shade. It is very easy to grow, pest-free and disease-free. As it leans towards the sun, south-facing location would be the best. In winter, it should be protected with a layer of dry, sand-and-straw mulch. Agapanthus Black Jack is perfect for flower beds and borders in combination with other colourful perennials, or as a specimen plant in a container. Suitable for city gardens and coastal areas as it can withstand air pollution and is resistant to windy and salty air.

Agapanthus Ever Couple of  the white and sapphire Ever series, better known as African Lily, is a semi-dwarf evergreen perennial with strap-like, glossy green leaves, and larger than average trumpet-shaped flowers form in impressive clusters, each of which can last for up to 12 weeks from midsummer. Their distinctive sapphire and white flowers makes them particularly eye-catching - and they will also last well after being cut for the vase. A sun-loving perennial, it will flourish in pots that can be moved to a sheltered spot in winter . The foliage is beautiful even when the plant is not in bloom.  African Lily prefers fertile, moist and well-drained soil. In hot climates, it needs partial shade. It is very easy to grow, pest-free and disease-free. As it leans towards the sun, south-facing location would be the best. In winter, it should be protected with a layer of dry, sand-and-straw mulch. Agapanthus Fireworks is perfect for flower beds and borders in combination with other colourful perennials, or as a specimen plant in a container. Suitable for city gardens and coastal areas as it can withstand air pollution and is resistant to windy and salty air.

Agapanthus Midnight Sky, better known as African Lily, is an attractive evergreen perennial with strap-like, glossy green leaves, and deep blue trumpet-shaped flowers that appear in summer or early autumn on stiff, upright short stalks. The foliage is beautiful even when the plant is not in bloom.  African Lily prefers fertile, moist and well-drained soil. In hot climates, it needs partial shade. It is very easy to grow, pest-free and disease-free. As it leans towards the sun, south-facing location would be the best. In winter, it should be protected with a layer of dry, sand-and-straw mulch. Agapanthus Midnight Sky is perfect for flower beds and borders in combination with other colourful perennials, or as a specimen plant in a container. Suitable for city gardens and coastal areas as it can withstand air pollution and is resistant to windy and salty air.

Agapanthus Poppin Star, better known as African Lily, is an attractive evergreen perennial with strap-like, glossy green leaves, and trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of mauve with dark purple stripes that appear in summer or early autumn on stiff, upright stalks. . The foliage is beautiful even when the plant is not in bloom.  African Lily prefers fertile, moist and well-drained soil. In hot climates, it needs partial shade. It is very easy to grow, pest-free and disease-free. As it leans towards the sun, south-facing location would be the best. In winter, it should be protected with a layer of dry, sand-and-straw mulch. Agapanthus Poppin Star is perfect for flower beds and borders in combination with other colourful perennials, or as a specimen plant in a container. Suitable for city gardens and coastal areas as it can withstand air pollution and is resistant to windy and salty air.

Agapanthus Firework, better known as African Lily, is an attractive evergreen perennial with strap-like, glossy green leaves, and larger than average trumpet-shaped flowers form in impressive clusters, each of which can last for up to 12 weeks from midsummer. Their distinctive purple-blue and white colouring makes them particularly eye-catching - and they will also last well after being cut for the vase. A sun-loving perennial, it will flourish in pots that can be moved to a sheltered spot in winter . The foliage is beautiful even when the plant is not in bloom.  African Lily prefers fertile, moist and well-drained soil. In hot climates, it needs partial shade. It is very easy to grow, pest-free and disease-free. As it leans towards the sun, south-facing location would be the best. In winter, it should be protected with a layer of dry, sand-and-straw mulch. Agapanthus Fireworks is perfect for flower beds and borders in combination with other colourful perennials, or as a specimen plant in a container. Suitable for city gardens and coastal areas as it can withstand air pollution and is resistant to windy and salty air.

Agapanthus 'Midnight Moon' is a dramatic perennial prized for its unusual colour contrast and elegant architectural form. It produces strong, upright stems rising above clumps of strap-shaped, mid-green foliage. From mid to late summer, rounded buds emerge in a deep, near-black violet tone, creating a bold visual effect even before flowering begins. As the buds open, they reveal paler, soft violet-blue to silvery blooms, producing a striking two-tone display that adds depth and interest to sunny planting schemes.

The rounded flower heads are held well above the foliage, giving a clean, structured appearance that works beautifully in contemporary gardens, Mediterranean-style borders, and gravel plantings. Its long flowering period provides weeks of colour, while spent flower heads often continue to offer ornamental interest if left standing.

Agapanthus ‘Midnight Moon’ thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, performing particularly well in sheltered, warm locations. Once established, it is relatively drought tolerant and low maintenance, requiring only a simple cutback of spent stems and old foliage in early spring. It also performs well in containers, where its striking flowers can be appreciated up close.

Agapanthus mixed colours are highly valued for their bold, architectural presence and long-lasting summer display, making them a versatile choice for a wide range of garden styles. With flower shades ranging from deep blue and violet to pure white and soft bicolours, they create vibrant contrast when planted in groups or mixed with complementary perennials. Their strap-like evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage forms attractive clumps that provide structure even when not in flower.

These plants are particularly well suited to sunny, sheltered gardens where they can thrive in well-drained soil. They are ideal for contemporary borders, Mediterranean-style planting schemes, gravel gardens, and coastal landscapes due to their tolerance of drought once established. They also perform exceptionally well in containers, where their upright flower stems can be appreciated at close range and used to frame patios, entrances, or seating areas.

Agapanthus work beautifully when planted en masse for impact or combined with grasses and other sun-loving perennials for a softer, more naturalistic effect. Low maintenance and reliable, they require only minimal care, typically a spring tidy and occasional feeding. Their strong vertical form and extended flowering season make them a dependable and eye-catching feature in both formal and informal garden designs.

The Agapanthus 'Phantom' is a striking cultivar of the Agapanthus genus, renowned for its unique appearance and captivating allure. Native to South Africa, Agapanthus plants are commonly known as "Lily of the Nile" or "African lily," and they are cherished for their vibrant blooms and lush foliage. The 'Phantom' variety, in particular, stands out for its distinctive features, making it a popular choice among gardeners and landscapers alike.

Characterized by its dark, almost black stems and rich, deep-green foliage, the Agapanthus 'Phantom' creates a dramatic contrast in any garden or landscape. However, what truly sets it apart are its enchanting flowers. The 'Phantom' produces large, spherical clusters of blossoms atop tall, sturdy stems, typically in shades of deep blue or violet. These blooms emerge in mid to late summer.

One of the most appealing aspects of the Agapanthus 'Phantom' is its adaptability to various growing conditions. It thrives in well-drained soil and prefers full sun to partial shade, making it suitable for a wide range of climates and environments across the United Kingdom. With proper care and maintenance, this cultivar can flourish in borders, containers, or even as a focal point in a mixed perennial bed.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Agapanthus 'Phantom' also attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing to the biodiversity of the garden. Additionally, its long-lasting blooms make it an excellent choice for cut flower arrangements, bringing its beauty indoors.

While relatively low-maintenance, the 'Phantom' may benefit from occasional fertilization and division to encourage healthy growth and prolific flowering. Deadheading spent blooms can also prolong the blooming period and promote continuous flowering throughout the season.

The Agapanthus 'Summer Love Blue' is a striking herbaceous perennial, celebrated for its elegant structure and vivid floral display. Native to South Africa but well-suited to British gardens, this cultivar belongs to the lily family and is commonly known as African lily or lily of the Nile. It brings a touch of exotic charm with its lush, strappy foliage and upright, architectural form.

From mid to late summer, ‘Summer Love Blue’ produces masses of rounded flower heads, each consisting of numerous trumpet-shaped blooms in a rich, vibrant blue. These floral globes are borne on tall, slender stems that rise gracefully above the foliage, adding height and drama to borders, containers, or gravel gardens. The long-lasting flowers are not only visually appealing but also highly attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

This agapanthus is a relatively compact variety, making it ideal for smaller gardens or patio pots. It prefers a sunny position with well-drained soil and benefits from regular feeding during the growing season to encourage prolific flowering. While reasonably drought-tolerant once established, it thrives best with consistent moisture in summer.

‘Summer Love Blue’ is semi-evergreen in milder areas of the UK, where it may retain its foliage throughout winter. However, in colder regions, it’s advisable to provide some protection, such as mulching or moving potted specimens to a sheltered location. It’s generally low-maintenance, with deadheading and the occasional division every few years being the primary tasks.

Combining bold colour, long flowering periods, and excellent garden performance, Agapanthus 'Summer Love Blue' makes a superb addition to mixed borders, coastal gardens, or as a statement piece in a container. Its refined yet robust nature ensures it stands out in any garden setting, offering seasonal elegance with minimal effort.

Agapanthus umbellatus ovatus is a striking perennial valued for its bold, architectural foliage and dramatic summer flower heads. Forming clumps of broad, strap-shaped green leaves, it produces tall, sturdy stems topped with rounded umbels of rich blue, trumpet-shaped flowers from mid to late summer. These long-lasting blooms rise well above the foliage, making the plant an excellent focal point in borders and a strong vertical accent in mixed plantings.

It is well suited to sunny, sheltered gardens and thrives in well-drained soil, particularly in coastal and Mediterranean-style settings. Once established, it is tolerant of drought and salt-laden winds, making it ideal for seaside gardens and urban courtyards. In colder areas, some winter protection may be beneficial, or plants can be grown in containers and moved to a frost-free position.

Agapanthus umbellatus ovatus works beautifully in groups, along pathways, or in large pots on patios, where its bold leaves and vivid flowers provide structure, colour, and a long season of ornamental interest with minimal maintenance.