Agapanthus africanus Twister

Description and Characteristics

Agapanthus africanus ‘Twister’ is a spectacular bicolour African Lily variety renowned for its striking blue and white blooms, which appear in generous, spherical umbels atop upright, sturdy stems. Each flower trumpet has pure white bases and vibrant violet-blue flared tips, creating a dynamic two-tone effect that stands out in any garden design.

This clump-forming perennial has narrow, strap-like green foliage and typically grows to 60–70 cm in height when in flower, with a spread of about 40–50 cm. 'Twister' is a relatively compact cultivar in the A. africanus group, making it an excellent choice for sunny borders, raised beds, and containers.

Flowering from mid to late summer, ‘Twister’ is also popular as a cut flower, providing long-lasting blooms and bold colour in floral arrangements. Like other Agapanthus varieties, it is very attractive to pollinators and performs well in coastal, Mediterranean-style, or low-water gardens.

• Distinctive bicolour flowers: white centres with violet-blue tips

• Upright, compact habit with arching, strap-shaped foliage

• Flowering time: July to September

• Height: 60–70 cm; Spread: 40–50 cm

• Great for borders, containers, modern gardens, and cutting

• Loved by bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects

Growing Conditions and Maintenance

Agapanthus 'Twister' is easy to grow with sun, drainage, and occasional feeding. Though not fully hardy in colder climates, it can be overwintered in containers or mulched well in milder areas.

• Light Requirements:

  • Requires full sun (minimum 6 hours/day) for best performance

  • Tolerates light partial shade, especially in hotter climates

• Soil Requirements:

  • Prefers well-drained, fertile soil

  • Will grow in sandy, chalky, or loamy soil

  • In containers, use a gritty, loam-based compost

• Watering Needs:

  • Water regularly during the growing season—keep soil evenly moist, especially in containers

  • Allow top of soil to dry slightly between waterings

  • Reduce watering in autumn when the plant enters dormancy

• Feeding:

  • Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring when growth begins

  • Feed every 2–3 weeks with a high-potash liquid fertiliser (like tomato feed) during flowering

  • Do not overfeed with nitrogen—it encourages foliage over flowers

• Deadheading and Pruning:

  • Remove faded flowers to keep plants tidy and promote longevity

  • Cut back flower stalks after blooming is complete

  • Clear away dead or yellowing leaves in early spring

• Winter Care:

  • Hardy to approx. -5°C (RHS H3); in colder climates, grow in pots for easy overwintering

  • In-ground plants: apply a thick mulch over the crown in autumn

  • Container plants: move to a frost-free space (e.g. unheated greenhouse or sheltered porch)

Design Use, Companions, and Pollinator Value

Agapanthus ‘Twister’ is a garden focal point thanks to its vivid flower contrast and tidy structure. It’s ideal for both formal and naturalistic plantings, and performs especially well in coastal and urban settings.

• Design Applications:

  • Excellent for modern borders, Mediterranean schemes, coastal gardens, and container displays

  • Ideal for colour-themed gardens (white & blue), sunny courtyards, or pollinator-friendly planting

  • Works beautifully planted in groups or repeated along pathways

• Companion Plants:

  • Combine with ornamental grasses, salvia, gaura, echinacea, veronica, and lavender

  • Contrasts well with silvery foliage such as Artemisia, Stachys, or Senecio

  • Plant alongside other agapanthus varieties for extended blooming interest

• Pollinator Benefits:

  • Flowers are rich in nectar and pollen

  • Highly attractive to bees, hoverflies, and butterflies

  • A strong addition to biodiverse planting schemes

• Cut Flower Notes:

  • Lasts 7–10 days in a vase

  • Harvest when most buds have opened

  • Pairs well with both structured and airy floral arrangements

• Propagation:

  • Best propagated by division in spring or early autumn

  • Flowering may pause for a season after division but returns strongly

• Pests and Disease:

  • Generally pest- and disease-free

  • Occasionally affected by slugs, snails, or crown rot if kept too wet

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

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If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.