A story 17 years in the making, and an almost-black flower
In this article
Agapanthus ‘BlackJack’® is more than just another dark-flowered agapanthus. One of the most striking new cultivars of recent years, it has almost-black buds that open into deep, velvety purple flowers. It brings together intense colour, a crisp architectural shape and abundant blooms, backed by a breeding story that took years of patience to unfold.
Agapanthus usually brings clear blue, white or soft purple flowers to mind. Agapanthus ‘BlackJack’® strikes a very different note. Its colour has depth and intensity, adding drama without sacrificing elegance. That makes it a natural fit for modern gardens, large pots, entrances, terraces and borders with clean lines.
The cultivar was bred by Andy de Wet and Quinton Bean of De Wet Plant Breeders in South Africa through a lengthy programme of crossing and selection. It was neither quick nor straightforward: around 17 years of observation and assessment, with thousands of plants rejected along the way, before they selected the clone that became Agapanthus ‘BlackJack’®.
Out of thousands of plants, one had the qualities they were looking for: deep colour, abundant flowers, consistent performance and a commanding presence in the garden.
From South Africa to Chelsea
The story of Agapanthus ‘BlackJack’® begins in South Africa, in a breeding programme that drew on the rich genetic diversity of the genus Agapanthus. The aim was more than simply to create another beautiful flowering perennial. It was to produce a plant with deeper colour, greater reliability in the garden, good tolerance of heat and drought, and truly dense flower heads.
The result was impressive. In 2023, Agapanthus BLACK JACK (‘Dwaghyb02’) was named RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year, one of the most prestigious awards for new ornamental cultivars. The award recognised more than its colour: it celebrated the combination of appearance, flowering, compact growth and practical value in pots and borders.
What caught the judges’ attention?
Its large, spherical flower heads are dense and full, with deep purple-black flowers opening from very dark buds. Each flower head can carry up to around 100 florets, providing a rich, long-lasting summer display.
From almost black to purple.
Watch the flowers openShow the buds
1
Almost-black buds
The flowers begin as very dark buds, creating a strong contrast even before the flower head has fully opened.
2
Deep purple flowers
The flowers open in a rich purple-black shade, with an intensity that stands out particularly in sunlight.
3
Dense flower heads
Its large, spherical flower heads are dense and full, with deep purple-black flowers opening from very dark buds. Each flower head can carry up to around 100 florets, providing a rich, long-lasting summer display.
What makes it so special?
Agapanthus ‘BlackJack’® is one of those rare plants that needs little introduction. The contrast between its green foliage, upright flower stems and intensely dark blooms speaks for itself. It also has substance to match its looks: vigorous growth, reliable performance in pots and resilience in hot conditions, all in a highly ornamental plant.
Almost-black buds
The flowers begin as very dark buds, creating a strong contrast even before the flower head has fully opened.
Deep purple flowers
The flowers open in a rich purple-black shade, with an intensity that stands out particularly in sunlight.
A clean architectural form
The upright flowering stems and linear foliage bring height, rhythm and structure to pots and borders.
Heat tolerance
It has been selected for good performance in hot, dry conditions, provided it is properly established and has good drainage.
Stage presence without the fuss
Some plants add colour, while others change the character of a space. Agapanthus ‘BlackJack’® belongs to the second group. In a large pot, its upright stems draw the eye and create a striking focal point. In a border, it adds a dark brushstroke among silver foliage, ornamental grasses or brighter flowers.
Despite its dark palette, it never looks heavy. Slender leaves keep the outline light and uncluttered, while tall flower stems lift the colour above the foliage. The effect is bold without being overpowering.
Where does it look best in the garden?
Agapanthus ‘BlackJack’® is ideal wherever you want drama with elegance. In a large pot by an entrance or on a terrace, it becomes a living sculpture. In a border, it brings height and summer colour, especially alongside silver, green or burgundy foliage.
It combines beautifully with Pennisetum, Festuca glauca, Stachys byzantina, Senecio cineraria, Phormium, Cordyline and Heuchera in dark or copper shades. The idea is simple: give the flowers a backdrop, rather than competition.
Straightforward care
For all its awards and striking looks, its needs are straightforward. Give agapanthus sunshine, free-draining soil and time to establish, and it will reward you with a dependable summer display.
For the best results, place it in full sun to light partial shade, in soil that drains well. In a pot, an airy mix with perlite or pumice helps prevent excessive moisture around the roots.
- Water moderately during the growing season, allowing the top layer of soil to dry slightly.
- Protect from hard frost when grown in a pot.
- Ideal for large pots, balconies, sunny borders, entrances and architectural planting.
When almost black is better than black
In horticulture, pure black is rare. What we usually see is very deep purple, burgundy or almost-black shades that shift with the light. And that is exactly where the appeal of Agapanthus ‘BlackJack’® lies. Its colour is anything but flat: a deep purple-black that comes alive in sunlight, looks velvety up close and creates striking contrasts from a distance.
Against a pale background, the effect becomes cleaner and more architectural. Beside silver leaves, the colour looks deeper still. Combined with dark foliage, it becomes more theatrical and modern. It is one of those plants around which an entire colour palette can be built.
Why it deserves a place in a modern garden
Agapanthus ‘BlackJack’® brings together three qualities rarely found so convincingly in a single plant: award-winning breeding, resilience and unmistakable character. It does not need elaborate care to look good, just the right position, sunshine, free-draining soil and room to develop its shape.
Its Chelsea award was more than a title. It recognised that agapanthus still has something new to offer: bolder colours in plants that remain versatile, resilient and at home in real gardens.
Agapanthus ‘BlackJack’® at Greenleaf
An award-winning agapanthus with almost-black buds, deep purple flowers and a striking presence for pots, terraces and sunny borders.
Discover Agapanthus ‘BlackJack’®