Agapanthus praecox

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Plant
ID 87 Agapanthus praecox
Botanic Name Agapanthus praecox
Common Name Agapanthus, Nile Lily, African Lily, Blue Umbrell
Family Name Agapanthaceae
Cultivars 'Albus','Baby Blue', Syn. Dwarf Blue or White, 'Blue Storm, 'Black Pantha','Dark Angel','Flore-pleno','Getty White','Maximus','Snowball','Tinkerbell','Variegatus', subsp. praecox, subsp. orientalis, subsp. minimus,
Origin South Africa, 1692, Zone 8-11
Growth Type Perennial
Bark Type Soft wooded
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Low
No. of Species 6
Growth Habit Clumping Growth Rate Fast
Height 0.25 - 1 m (1 - 3 ft) Spread 0.6 m (2 ft)
Plant Overview
This variable clump forming rhizomatous perennial has fleshy roots and upright foliage forming a clump. It has dark green strap-like leaves and the blue or white funnel-shaped flowers appear in a rounded head above the foliage on a slender stem in summer.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Lanceolate
The dark green leaves are long-linear (strap-like) to lanceolate with a fleshy texture and are up to 500 mm (20 in) long by 50 mm (2 in) wide. The apex is acute and the leaves tend to arch.
Arrangement Basal
Margin Entire
Colour Glossy dark green
Size 300 - 500 mm ( 11.8 - 19.7 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Funnelform
The funnelform flowers have 5 expanding petals with exserted stamens and are up to 50 mm (2 in) wide. They are arranged in a terminal umbel above the foliage on a long scape appearing from late spring to early summer.
Inflorescence Umbel
Colour Blue - white
Size 80 - 100 mm ( 3.1 - 3.9 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Capsule Additional Information
Colour Green - brown
The large pendant 3-sided green-brown leathery capsule is up to 50 mm (2 in) long and contains numerous (20-100) flat black seeds with approximately 130 seeds per gram. The viable seeds can self sow and become a bush weed in some regions.
Edible No
Bird Attractive Yes
Size 40 - 50 mm ( 1.6 - 2.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained fertile moist sandy to loam soil organic rich , pH 5.5-7.5
Container Tubs, large pots, roof gardens
Climate Warm to sub-tropical
Aspect Full sun to partial shade, light frost and drought tolerant, fire resistant
Pest & Diseases Aphids, slugs, snails, root rot, leaf scorch
Fertiliser Add organic material to the soil, liquid fertiliser and keep moist, mulch in cold conditions
Pruning Divide every 3-4 years during spring, remove spent flower heads
Cultural Uses Propagation
Agapanthus is grown for its clumping habit and its erect blue or white flower heads. It is planted along borders in small or cottage gardens or used in group or mass plantings in parks and large gardens. It is also planted along pathways.
Sow fresh seed during spring and it takes 3 to 4 years to come to flower. Divide the clump from winter to early spring and reduce the foliage by 50%.
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