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Agapanthus 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'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#poisonous#full sun tolerant#houseplant#blue flowers#interiorscape#deer resistant#rhizomes#border planting#cutting garden#container plant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Stevie's Wonder'
'Stevie's Wonder'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#poisonous#full sun tolerant#houseplant#blue flowers#interiorscape#deer resistant#rhizomes#border planting#cutting garden#container plant#perennial
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    3-sided elongated capsule with many seeds
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Poisonous through ingestion and dermatitis. Symptoms may include irritation of skin and eyes from cell sap. Irritation and ulceration of mouth if ingested.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unknown
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves