A. ecklonii are rhizomatous evergreen perennials from South Africa. As such they are half hardy at best and should therefore be grown in pots in the greenhouse except in the milder parts of western England or in seaside locations on the south coast.
The plants produce tufts of basal leaves and smaller stem-clasping leaves. Spikes of flowers can be up to 3ft tall and these develop into large panicles of saucer-shaped blue flowers in the height of summer. As ever, blue flowers are an excellent addition to the greenhouse or to a summer border.
A. ecklonii resent root disturbance and are best grown in full sun in a fertile well drained soil. In pots they do best in a peaty compost with frequent watering in summer and the addition of fertiliser before the flower spikes have fully formed.
Seed can be sown in the spring.
