Agapanthus ‘Northern Star’ – A Bold and Reliable African Lily
The Agapanthus ‘Northern Star’ is a striking perennial, loved for its bold flowers and elegant form. In midsummer, it sends up tall, sturdy stems topped with rounded clusters of deep violet-blue blooms, each petal delicately edged with a darker purple. These vibrant flower heads stand proudly above a mound of strappy green leaves, making them an eye-catching focal point in borders, containers, or along pathways.
Compact yet showy, this variety is known for its hardiness and reliability. Unlike some agapanthus that are tender, ‘Northern Star’ is well-suited to the UK and Irish climate, tolerating cooler conditions while still delivering a spectacular floral display. Whether grown in pots or planted directly in the ground, it’s a superb choice for gardeners who want a long-lasting burst of summer colour.
General Information
Agapanthus, often called the African Lily or Lily of the Nile, originates from South Africa and has become a staple of ornamental planting worldwide. The cultivar ‘Northern Star’ is especially valued for its hardiness and rich flower colour.
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Habit: Clump-forming, deciduous perennial with upright stems.
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Height & spread: Typically grows 60–90cm tall and 50–60cm wide.
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Foliage: Strappy, arching green leaves form a neat base clump.
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Flowers: Rounded umbels of violet-blue flowers, each petal with darker edging for added depth.
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Flowering season: July to September, offering weeks of display.
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Position: Full sun is essential for strong flowering, though it will tolerate very light shade.
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Soil: Fertile, moist but well-drained soil; thrives in sandy or loamy conditions. Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soils.
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Hardiness: More hardy than many other agapanthus, tolerating cold winters if roots are protected.
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Uses: Ideal for borders, large pots, gravel gardens, or as an architectural accent in modern garden designs.
Its combination of strong stems, vivid flowers, and resilience makes ‘Northern Star’ one of the most dependable agapanthus varieties for northern gardens.
Care Guide
Agapanthus ‘Northern Star’ is easy to grow, needing only a few simple steps to thrive.
Planting
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When to plant: Best planted in spring once frost risk has passed.
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Depth & spacing: Plant crowns 5cm deep and space 45–60cm apart.
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Containers: Use large pots with free-draining compost (mix of loam and grit). Plants often flower more reliably when slightly pot-bound.
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Location: Choose a sunny, sheltered site to maximise blooms.
Watering & Feeding
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Water regularly in the first year to establish strong roots.
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In summer, water deeply during dry spells, especially in containers.
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Feed every 2–3 weeks from spring to mid-summer with a high-potash fertiliser (e.g., tomato feed) to encourage flowering.
Pruning & Maintenance
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Deadhead spent blooms to encourage further flowering and prevent self-seeding.
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Cut back flower stems to the base once flowering is finished.
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In autumn, allow foliage to die back naturally; tidy away old leaves in late winter or early spring.
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Mulch around the crown in colder regions to protect from frost. Container-grown plants can be moved to a frost-free spot.
Protection
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In very cold winters, cover crowns with fleece, straw, or mulch for insulation.
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Protect container plants by wrapping pots in fleece or hessian to prevent root damage.
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Hardy in most areas, though severe winters may require extra protection.
Why Choose Agapanthus ‘Northern Star’?
This reliable, hardy agapanthus delivers stunning colour and structure with minimal effort.
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Spectacular blooms: Rich violet-blue flowers with darker edges.
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Long flowering: Provides colour from midsummer to early autumn.
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Compact habit: Perfect for borders and containers.
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Hardy and reliable: Well-suited to cooler climates compared with other agapanthus.
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Low-maintenance: Requires only basic care for years of enjoyment.
The Agapanthus ‘Northern Star’ is a superb choice for gardeners wanting a hardy, colourful perennial that combines bold flowers with architectural style. Whether in pots or borders, it adds height, elegance, and summer vibrancy, rewarding you with show-stopping blooms year after year.
Description and Characteristics
Agapanthus ‘Northern Star’ is a striking, deciduous perennial African Lily, prized for its deep blue, starry flowers and dark-tinted stems, giving it an elegant and dramatic appearance. Bred in the UK for cold-hardy performance, this cultivar combines bold colour with garden reliability, making it an excellent choice for borders, containers, and coastal gardens.
The plant forms tidy clumps of strap-shaped, green foliage, with tall stems (up to 80–100 cm) bearing rounded umbels of dark violet-blue, trumpet-shaped flowers. What sets ‘Northern Star’ apart is its strong architectural form, with flower stems flushed in deep purple and narrow, upward-facing blooms that remain neat and upright even in wind or rain.
Flowering typically occurs from July to September, providing late summer colour and attracting numerous pollinators to the garden. Hardy down to -10°C, it’s well-suited to UK gardens and can be grown in the ground or in pots.
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Dark violet-blue blooms on tall, strong stems
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Narrow, upright trumpets give a star-like appearance
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Flowering period: July to September
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Height: 80–100 cm; Spread: 40–50 cm
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Fully hardy to approx. -10°C (RHS H4)
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Excellent for modern gardens, borders, containers, and pollinator planting
Growing Conditions and Maintenance
Agapanthus ‘Northern Star’ is easy to grow and maintain. It prefers full sun, well-drained soil, and moderate feeding. In the right spot, it will flower abundantly with minimal intervention.
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Light Requirements:
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Thrives in full sun (6–8 hours daily)
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Tolerates light partial shade, but fewer flowers may result
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Soil Requirements:
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Requires well-drained soil—loamy or sandy is ideal
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Grows well in both garden beds and containers
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Slightly acidic to neutral pH preferred
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Watering:
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Water regularly during spring and summer, especially in dry spells
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Allow soil surface to dry between waterings
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Reduce watering in autumn as plant enters dormancy
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Feeding:
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Feed in early spring with a balanced fertiliser
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From late spring, use a high-potash liquid fertiliser every 2–3 weeks to promote flowering
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Avoid high nitrogen feeds—they promote leaves at the expense of blooms
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Pruning and Deadheading:
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Deadhead spent flowers promptly to encourage more blooms
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Cut back flowering stems to the base in autumn
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Remove any yellowed or dead foliage in early spring
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Winter Care:
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Hardy to approx. -10°C—suitable for most UK gardens
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In colder regions or heavy soils, apply a mulch over the crown in late autumn
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Potted plants can be moved to a sheltered location during winter
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Garden Design, Companions, and Pollinator Benefits
‘Northern Star’ brings strong vertical form, deep colour, and pollinator value to a wide range of planting styles. Its upright habit and tidy clumps make it ideal for formal or naturalistic borders, while its compact size suits smaller gardens and terraces.
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Design Uses:
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Ideal for modern borders, Mediterranean gardens, and urban patios
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Works beautifully in groups, along pathways, or as a focal point
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Excellent in containers, especially when underplanted with silver or trailing plants
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Companion Plants:
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Pairs well with salvia, nepeta, echinacea, gaura, verbena bonariensis, and ornamental grasses
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Contrasts beautifully with pale yellows, whites, and silvers
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Complements plants with strong vertical habits like delphinium or digitalis
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Pollinator Support:
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Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hoverflies
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Provides valuable nectar during midsummer and into early autumn
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A great choice for wildlife-friendly and sustainable planting schemes
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Cut Flower Use:
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Long vase life (up to 10 days)
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Best cut when buds are partially open
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Adds height and colour to floral arrangements
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Propagation:
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Divide clumps every 3–5 years in spring or early autumn
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Flowering may pause the year after division but returns stronger
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Pests and Diseases:
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Generally trouble-free
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Rarely affected by slugs or snails
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Avoid root rot by ensuring excellent drainage
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