Agapanthus africanus flower (25/07/2011, London)
Position: Full sun
Soil: Well drained soil
Flowering period: Summer
Eventual Height: 1m
Eventual Spread: 50cm
Hardiness: USDA Zone 8a-11a
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Agapanthus africanus is an evergreen perennial with a clump forming habit. Its foliage is broad and dark green, composed of basal, linear leaves with simple margin. Its inflorescence, held on upright stems is in the form of rounded umbels composed of deep blue, tubular, hermaphroditic flowers.
A. africanus, commonly known as the African Lily is native to South Africa in the region from the Cape Peninsula to Swellendam. It was introduced into Europe at the end of the 17th century.
Agapanthus is derived from the Greek agap meaning ‘love and anthos meaning ‘flower’, with africanus being a Latinised word referring to its origins on the African continent.
Agapanthus africanus (25/07/2011, London)
This plant may be useful to the landscape architect as a herbaceous perennial in maritime locations. A. africanus is drought tolerant for short periods of time once established.
The Royal Horticultural Society gave this plant their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
This plant will tolerate almost any soil conditions; it will be happy at neutral, alkaline or acid pH levels, in loam, sand, chalk or clay based soils in any south, east or west facing sheltered aspect.
Ecologically this plant will attract many species of pollinating insects such as honey bees and butterflies.
Maintenance: This plant requires no maintenance. The plant may be cut back in autumn, if desired. They may be propagated from offsets or by dividing the rootstock in early spring or autumn.
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