African Blue Lily Agapanthus praecox ssp. orientalis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Agapanthus orientalis
- Phonetic Spelling
- ag-ah-PAN-thus PRAY-cox or-ee-en-TAH-liss
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
African Blue Lily is native to southern Africa and grows from fleshy rhizomes. The long evergreen strap-like- leaves form and attractive clump year-long. The flowers are in a terminal cluster with many individual tubular flowers with 6 petals and a darker strip down the center. They are in shades of blue and white. Bloom time is summer to fall and the attractive flowers make good cut flowers.
This plant is best grown in a pot and brought in the house or greenhouse in the winter in zones north of 8. Plant in well-drained soils in full sun for best flowering.
It is considered a weed in parts of Australia.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Stevie's Wonder'
- 'Stevie's Wonder'
- 'Stevie's Wonder'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Stevie's Wonder'
- 'Stevie's Wonder'
- 'Stevie's Wonder'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Agapanthus
- Species:
- praecox ssp. orientalis
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Africa, E. Cape Prov. to KwaZulu-Natal.
- Wildlife Value:
- deer resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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-
Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- 3-sided elongated capsule with many seeds
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are in a terminal cluster, each tubular, blue or white, with 6 petal-like parts and a darker stripe down the center of the petals.
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-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Evergreen leaves are long and strap-like 12-24 inches long and 1 inch wide.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Hollow thick green stems
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
