"Agapanthus"

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About Agapanthus

Agapanthus is also known as Lily of the Nile, African Blue Lily, and African Lily. Pronounced Ag-ah-pan-thus.

Agapanthus produces large, round clusters or umbels of blue, violet- blue or white, funnel shaped flowers at the end of a thick 2 to 4 foot tall stem (60-120cm). The clusters measure about 6 to 8 inches (15-20cm) across.

These plants are native to South Africa from the Western Cape across to the Eastern Cape. They grow in the shade from trees for protection from the hot sun. The name Agapanthus comes from the Greek 'agape', meaning 'love', and 'anthos', 'flower', and translates roughly as 'flower of love'.

Agapanthus cut flowers are generally available in late spring and through summer. But flowers grown in Central and South America and shipped in can be purchased all year round, where available. Best bought when one third of the flowers in a cluster are open.

What to Do When You Receive Your Agapanthus Flowers

1. Unpack your flowers straightaway. Handle carefully to avoid damaging the petals.

2. Use a clean vase. Fill it with clean lukewarm water and add a floral preservative solution, following the instructions provided.

3. Remove any damaged flowers.

4. Cut off about 1 inch (2.5cm) from the bottom of the flower stems with the stems under water. Make the cut at an angle so that the flower stems do not rest flat on the bottom of the vase.

By doing this you help your Agapanthus to maintain water uptake. Air bubbles and debris tends to collect in the bases of the stems and ,if this is not removed, water flow in the stems is greatly restricted. The cut should be at an angle and not flat across. You do not want the flower stems resting flat on the bottom of the vase since this will also restrict water uptake.

5. Arrange your flowers in the vase so that they are attractively displayed. These decorative flowers will draw attention and are useful for eye catching arrangements relying on simplicity.

6. Keep Agapanthus in a cool place and out of direct sunlight. Avoid draughts which will dehydrate the flowers. They do not like very hot or cold areas. In a hot place in the direct sun the flowers will soon die.

Care of Your Agapanthus Flowers

1. Check the water level frequently and top up the vase with lukewarm water, to avoid chilling the flowers.

2. Regularly remove damaged, or dying flowers. This helps the flowers last longer.

3. Every 2-3 days remove the flowers from the vase. And cut off about 1 inch (2.5cm) from the bottom of the flower stems under water and at an angle. This will maintain good water uptake. Change the water at the same time using lukewarm water to refill.

Flower Life

Agapanthus buds take 4 to 6 days to open. When fully developed each flower lasts from 7 to 14 days with the proper care.

The dried seed heads also look attractive in arrangements.

Evergreen or Deciduous

Agapanthus can be either evergreen or deciduous. Evergreen Agapanthus are more widely grown. They are larger than deciduous plants with wide and often very long leaves. However they are generally more frost tender and need to be overwintered in a cool, light place at a temperature of 42-50 deg. F (5-10 deg. C). A little water will be needed from time to time.

Deciduous Agapanthus have smaller foliage (up to 10 inches, 25 cm long) and smaller flowers than the evergreens. They are somewhat hardier and can withstand frost a bit better. The foliage dies down in the winter, and they can be kept in the dark in a cool room, a garage, or a cellar as long as it does not freeze there. Watering is not needed.

Growing Agapanthus in Pots

Agapanthus make excellent container plants. Grow in a free-draining ,well-balanced potting compost. Plants in pots are best kept outside in the fresh air during the summer in a sunny and sheltered spot.

Water well when in growth and apply regular, weekly fertilizer feeds. Do not let the soil dry out.They flower better when a bit pot-bound.

Bring into a frost-free place during the worst of the winter weather. Keep on the dry side over winter.

Growing Agapanthus Outside in the Garden

An absolute necessity for growing Agapanthus in the garden is a well-drained soil. In waterlogged, heavy soils they are most likely to rot away in winter. They grow best in a moderately fertile soil. A soil that is too rich will promote soft lush growth that is prone to winter damage.

The other requirement is a warm, sheltered position in full sun for most of the day. In a hot climate area they will do better in partial shade. Plant the rhizomes one inch (2.5cm) deep and space 24 inches (60cm) apart. Keep plants well watered during the growing season to ensure success.

The plants produce attractive clumps of long, curved, shiny, green, strap-like leaves, which grow from fleshy, tuberous roots.The flowering period is from late spring until the beginning of autumn, depending on the species.

In areas with a mild winter climate agapanthus can be left out in the garden, but need to be covered with mulch or straw to avoid frost damage.

African Lilies are hardy in US hardiness zones 7 to 11. They can be grown in a colder zone by planting deeper and mulching well. But drainage needs to be good to avoid rotting. They can stay outdoors permanently where temperatures do not fall below 20 deg. F (-6 deg. C). Otherwise it is best to dig them up and store frost-free for the winter.

Agapanthus has few pests. If mealy bug or red spider mite becomes a problem in winter you may need to spray on an insecticide. Yellow leaf tips indicates waterlogged conditions.

Propagation

Propagation is usually by division of the root clumps immediately after flowering. This will be from August to September for plants grown in the garden and evergreens. Deciduous Agapanthus in pots can be divided in March just before they start growing . Each new plant should have two or three shoots and a good root system.

Dividing the roots of Agapanthus in pots is difficult as the roots intertwine together so densely that often it will be necessary to use a saw or sharp knife for this. Afterwards dip the damaged roots into a fungicide, pulverized wood ash or sulfur to prevent them rotting.

After division the plants usually take from 1 to 2 years before they flower again. And it will be 4 to 5 years before the plants can be divided again.

Growing from seed is a slow process. Sow seed in the early spring. Fresh seeds germinate easily at 70-80 deg. F (20-25 deg. C) usually within 3 to 8 weeks, but it can take up to 2 to 3 months. Grow on in pots. It takes from three to four years before the plants flower.

Types of Agapanthus:

Agapanthus are frost tender, evergreen or deciduous perennial plants. Many hybrids are available in shades from light to dark blue, white and even lilac. An increasing range of new and hardier varieties have been developed. As a general rule the wider the foliage and the larger the flowers are, the less hardy is the Agapanthus.

Evergreen Species and Varieties

Agapanthus praecox is the most commonly grown species worldwide. The flowers from pale to bright blue grow on a tall stem up to 40 inches (100cm) high. Agapanthus orientalis is just a different form of Agapanthus praecox.

Agapanthus comptonii is a stunning frost-tender species that grows well in a large pot.

Agapanthus africanus is a reliable species bearing waxy, deep violet-blue flowers on 24 inch (60cm) stems. The cultivar 'Albus' has beautiful pure white flowers.

Deciduous Species and Varieties

Agapanthus campanulatus is hardy down to -15 deg. C (5 deg. F) and grows up to 16in (40cm) in height. Good forms are 'Isis' (deep blue), 'Royal Blue' (a most intense blue), 'Albovittatus' (violet-blue flowers contrasting with white striped leaves) and the variety albidus (pure white).

The Headbourne Hybrids were raised in the late 1940s at Headbourne Worthy, Hampshire, UK. These are reliable and hardy. They have a dwarf to medium sized growth habit and range in color from shades of blue to violet, and also white.

Agapanthus inapertus has pendulous, purplish or dark blue, nodding flowers. It comes in many forms and is good for pots.

Other fine hybrids that can be well recommended are 'Ben Hope' (intense blue), 'Lilliput' (intense blue,18inch dwarf), 'Midnight Star' (deep blue), 'Blue Moon' (large, grey-blue, late flowers), 'Profusion' (mid-blue), 'Buckingham Palace' (deep violet-purple), 'Loch Hope' (rich violet-blue), 'Castle of Mey' (rich blue), 'Snow Cloud' ( pure white and evergreen), and 'Jack's Blue' (an intense deep, purple-blue from New Zealand).

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