Lilyof the Nile Agapanthus praecox
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Agapanthus orientalis
- Agapanthus praecox subsp. 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 a clump-forming, evergreen perennial in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) native to southern South Africa. It is a popular garden plant, especially in Mediterranean climates, but is considered a weed in parts of Australia. The Genus name is derived from the Greek agapé, love, and anthos, flower. The specific ephitath means early, premature, unseasonable or precocious in Latin.
The plant will grow in clumps up to 32 inches and spread 2 feet wide, but flowering stems can reach 5 feet tall. Plant rhizomes in well-drained fertile moist soils in full sun for best flowering. Plants will lean towards the sun, so south-facing is best. Propagate by division as needed.
The long evergreen strap-like leaves form an attractive clump year-long. The flowers appear in mid to late summer 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.
This plant is best grown in a pot and brought in the house or greenhouse in the winter in zones north of 8. Warmer climates can use them in the garden in the border or groups. They can also be grown in a large pot for the patio.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Diseases include Botrytis rot, root rot, powdery mildew, Verticillium wilt and Macrophoma agapanthii. Pests include aphids, scales, spider mites, mealy bugs and snails.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Albiflorus'
Many white flowers late summer to fall - 'Blue Bayou'
Deep blue flowers - 'Blue Flare'
Blue flowers with a darker strip down each petal - 'Blue Storm™'
Sky blue flowers with a darker stripe on each petal - 'Delfina's Blush'
White flowers with a tinge of lavender - 'Queen Mum'
White flowers with touch of purple at the bas of the funnel - 'Stevie's Wonder'
- 'Albiflorus'
- 'Albiflorus', 'Blue Bayou', 'Blue Flare', 'Blue Storm™', 'Delfina's Blush', 'Queen Mum', 'Stevie's Wonder'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Albiflorus'
Many white flowers late summer to fall - 'Blue Bayou'
Deep blue flowers - 'Blue Flare'
Blue flowers with a darker strip down each petal - 'Blue Storm™'
Sky blue flowers with a darker stripe on each petal - 'Delfina's Blush'
White flowers with a tinge of lavender - 'Queen Mum'
White flowers with touch of purple at the bas of the funnel - 'Stevie's Wonder'
- 'Albiflorus'
- 'Albiflorus', 'Blue Bayou', 'Blue Flare', 'Blue Storm™', 'Delfina's Blush', 'Queen Mum', 'Stevie's Wonder'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Agapanthus
- Species:
- praecox
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Africa, E. Cape Prov. to KwaZulu-Natal.
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees and butterflies to the nectar-rich flowers.
- 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:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- 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
-
-
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 up to 5 inches across. Each tubular flower is 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.
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-
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
