Some of the Agapanthus campanulatus, one of the parents of the 'Headbourne Hybrids' named forms are listed below in the hopeful event of changing this position.

African Moon: 60cm (24in). Pale misty blue. Award of Merit (A.M.).

Alice Gloucester: Rated by Graham Stuart Thomas as 'the finest white so far' Highly Commended.

Cherry Holly: Very dark blue. 75cm (30in). First Class Certificate (P.C.C.).

Delft: First Class Certificate (F.C.C.). (A.M.).

Diana: Award of Merit (A.M.).

Luly: A first rate light blue, 90cm (36in). Lewis Palmer's pet name. First Class Certificate (F.C.C.).

Margaret Wakehurst: Award of Merit (A.M.).

Molly Howick: Award of Merit (A.M.).

Besides Lewis Palmer many other gardeners have bred or found good forms, some of which are listed below

Agapanthus campanulatus albus. There seems to be several clones of this plant in the trade, some freer flowering than others. J. Archibald of the Plantsmen received an Award of Merit (A.M.) for the clone he submitted to the RHS trials (circa 1972), but refusing to give it a clonal name (on the grounds that its name was already appropriate) the award was not ratified. He had received the plant from Amy Doncaster, a plantswoman with an exceptional eye for a good plant. This clone with its floriferous nature and pure white flowers would seem to be the one to acquire. 60cm (24in).

Agapanthus campanulatus 'Isis'. Offered in the 1968-69 Bressingham catalogue under this name as 2ft (75cm) intense blue. Formerly A. weillighii. A. weillighii itself being equal to A. inapertus, but I have not been able to compare the two.

Agapanthus campanulatus 'Mooreanus'. This name seems to have been used rather misappropriately in the trade - the original plant was introduced by Julius Wilhelm Keit (Curator, Natal Botanical Gardens from 1872) through Glasnevin Botanic Gardens, Ireland in the late 1870s. It was described as having dark blue flowers, short narrow upright leaves and a dwarf habit. A plant matching this description was offered by Washfield Nursery, Kent during the 1950s and early 1960s and I believe I have seen the plant growing in a Scottish garden. It takes its name from the Moore family, both father David and son Frederick being successive directors at Glasnevin Botanic Gardens. Well worth keeping an eye open for.

Agapanthus praecox 'Argenteo Vittatus'. White striped foliage, but needing protection in the winter. One to try in a tub perhaps.

'Blue Baby'. Offered by J. Archibald in his 1987 catalogue and described thus 'extremely dwarf and rather slow growing clone. Blue. No history'. On account of its size this plant would certainly be worth seeking out for the smaller garden.

'Blue Moon'. A very fine clone raised at Buckshaw gardens by Eric Smith and introduced in 1974. Very large heads of pale blue flowers on stout 90cm (36in) stems in late summer. Highly commended in the RHS trial but apparently very slow to increase.

'Bressingham Blue' and 'Bressingham White'. Both selected by that great plantsman/nurseryman Alan Bloom for their good colour and constitution. Deep amethyst blue (80cm, 32in) and pure white (90cm, 36in) respectively.

'Cobalt Blue'. Selected by Beth Chatto and listed as being an extra fine blue. 60cm (24in).

'Golden Rule'. Occurred at Buckshaw Gardens, Dorset. A variegated Headbourne hybrid apparently needing time to settle down to show its best. 60cm (24in).

'Kingston Blue'. Originally from the garden of Miss Raphael at Kingston Bagpize, Berkshire. One of the best dwarf Agapanthus with flowers of well-shaped campanulate form. Clear bright blue and held on slender stems to 38cm (15in). Very free flowering and reasonably quick to increase.

'Lady Moore'. Another Agapanthus from the garden of Miss Raphael at Kingston Bagpize obtained by Elizabeth Parker Jervis in the early 1960s. Named after Lady Phyllis Moore, wife of the one-time curator of Glasnevin Botanic Gardens Sir Frederick Moore, from where, according to C. Brickell, the plant may have originated. A lovely plant with smallish heads of white flowers, leaves slightly glaucous. 45cm (18in). Rather slow to increase.

'Lilliput'. Selected by the plantsman/nurseryman Roland Jackson some years ago, this worthy plant is again finding a foothold in cultivation. Very similar to 'Kingston Blue' (they may prove to be synonymous), both flowering in July/August and sharing the characteristic narrow upright foliage of the smaller Agapanthus. 'Marjorie': Distributed originally by the Plantsmen, Dorset but selected from the Devon garden of Bert Hopwood and named after his wife. Wide heads of pale blue flowers held on long pedicels. 50-60cm (20-24in).

'Midnight Blue'. Selected by Philip Wood and introduced by the Slieve Donard Nursery, Ireland. This variety has perhaps the darkest flowers of any Agapanthus though to my mind they are rather poorly funnel shaped. For someone with time it could be improved upon. Has narrow upright foliage so typical of many of the smaller growing Agapanthus. 38cm (15in).

'Midnight Star'. Another very dark blue clone but growing to 90cm (36in). I have heard very good reports of this plant, so one to watch out for.

'Mood Indigo'. A very dark clone selected in California, America.

'Porlock'. Bred by Norman Hadden. Very large, pale blue flowers, but slow to increase and perhaps a little tender.

'Peter Pan'. Growing to only 30cm (12in) this must surely be the smallest Agapanthus in cultivation. I know nothing of its history.

'Profusion'. A plant that has been about for some years, demonstrating a good constitution. Very free flowering, soft blue. Upright stems to 75cm (30in).

'Torbay'. Named by the Plantsmen (J. Archibald/Eric Smith) in about 1983, also from the aforementioned garden of Bert Hopwood. A dark blue clone which Jim appetisingly described as 'infallibly eye catching'. 80-90cm (32-36in).

'Underway'. Selected by Norman Hadden, a keen plantsman, and named after his garden at Porlock, Somerset. Dark blue. 80cm (30in).