Agapanthus also known as the African lily or lily of the Nile, agapanthus (Agapanthus orientalis) is a perennial bloomer available in a range of blue hues, from pastel lavender to deep bluish-purple flowers, which contrast with the plant’s strappy, deep green foliage. Mature height of the plant is 2 to 4 feet.
African lilies produce rounded clusters of flowers. Each flower grouping has as many as 40 to 100 individual, tubular shaped blossoms. The leaves of the plant are deep green, with blossoms that come in a variety of hues, including pink, violet or white. The traditional color is deep violet blue.
In warmer areas, where they can grow outdoors, African lilies find a happy home in visible spaces of a garden where their distinct and vivid flowers can best be showcased. They work well paired with other plants, particularly those with white or warm-colored flowers (pinks, corals, etc.). They can also be used as an accent flower: Place them near patios or in small gardens.
Agapanthus bloom best in full sun to partial shade. To produce the most flowers, the ideal is morning sun with light afternoon shade. The plant prefers light soils with plenty of organic matter worked in, but tolerates most soil types, including clay, sand, slightly alkaline soil and soil that is occasionally wet. Here are some of the varieties of Agapanthus you need to know:
- Arctic Star
- Black Pantha
- Albus
- Headbourne Hybrids
- Black Buddhist
- Angela
- Peter Pan
- Northern Star
- Polar Ice
- Brilliant Blue
- Ever Sapphire
- Loch Hope
- Twister
- Silver Moon
- Blue Heaven
- Fireworks
- Donau
- Lily
- Midnight Star
Agapanthus ‘Arctic Star’
Agapanthus ‘Arctic Star’ produces large rounded clusters of trumpet-shaped, pure white flowers on sturdy, upright stalks atop a clump of beautiful, semi-evergreen, gray-green, strap-shaped leaves. Brightening up the garden for weeks, this elegant Agapanthus cultivar does not fade as it matures and its foliage mound remains attractive, even when the plant is not in bloom. Remarkably resilient, ‘Arctic Star’ is one of the hardiest white Agapanthus and can survive temperatures well below freezing. It is also one of the earliest to bloom.
Agapanthus ‘Black Pantha’
Beautiful globes of blue-black flowers burst from almost black buds and stand elegantly above evergreen strap-like leaves. Perfect for a sunny border or for a patio pot. Although hardier than other varieties Agapanthus orientalis ‘Black Pantha’ is still requires some winter protection in colder, exposed areas.
Agapanthus ‘Albus’
Agapanthus ‘Albus’ is an evergreen clump-forming plant that produces charming white trumpet shaped flowers which form a rounded head standing 1m tall above glossy-green strappy leaves. African Lily ‘Albus gives a lovely late summer display, looking especially stunning as part of a Mediterranean, mixed planting or xeriscaping scheme.
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Agapanthus ‘Headbourne Hybrids’
Agapanthus ‘Headbourne Hybrids’ produces large rounded clusters of funnel-shaped flowers in variable shades of light and dark violet-blue. Each flower head is packed with 60 to 70 florets. They rise on stiff, upright stalks atop clumps of beautiful, evergreen to semi-evergreen, strap-shaped, linear, grass-like leaves. Their foliage mounds remain attractive when the plants are not in bloom.
Agapanthus ‘Black Buddhist’
Agapanthus ‘Black Buddhist’ is a compact perennial with large rounded clusters packed with dark blue, trumpet-shaped flowers, each adorned with a dark stripe down the center of the petals. Blooming from mid to late summer, the richly colored blossoms rise on stiff, upright, dark stalks atop clumps of beautiful, strap-shaped, rich green leaves.
Agapanthus ‘Angela’
Agapanthus ‘Angela’ bears striking pale blue funnel shaped flowers that form a rounded head standing tall above narrow, strap shaped leaves. African Lily ‘Angela’ gives a lovely summer display, looking especially stunning as part of a Mediterranean or mixed planting scheme.
Agapanthus ‘Peter Pan’
A very attractive dwarf Lily of the Nile, Agapanthus ‘Peter Pan’ produces graceful rounded clusters of trumpet-shaped, light blue flowers, each petal with a darker mid-vein. They rise on stiff, upright stalks atop clumps of beautiful, evergreen, narrow and loose, strap-shaped leaves. Their foliage mounds remain attractive when the plants are not in bloom. Ideal for small gardens or containers.
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Agapanthus ‘Northern Star’
Agapanthus ‘Northern Star’ is a particularly striking African Lily with showy rounded clusters of dark blue, star-shaped flowers from mid to late summer. They rise on stiff, upright stalks atop clumps of beautiful, deciduous, arching leaves tinged with deep violet at the base.This compact Agapanthus is very suitable for perennial borders or container planting on the balcony, terrace or patio.
Agapanthus ‘Polar Ice’
Agapanthus ‘Polar Ice’ is a clump-forming, deciduous perennial producing large rounded clusters of trumpet-shaped, pure white flowers. They sit on sturdy, upright stalks above a clump of beautiful, fresh green, strap-shaped leaves. Brightening up the garden for weeks from mid-summer to early fall, this elegant Agapanthus remains attractive, even when the plant is not in bloom. Remarkably resilient, ‘Polar Ice’ is one of the hardiest white Agapanthus and can survive temperatures well below freezing.
Agapanthus ‘Brilliant Blue’
Agapanthus ‘Brilliant Blue’ is a compact semi-evergreen African Lily boasting loose clusters of rich blue flowers, adorned with a darker stripe running through each petal. After 5 years, it will produce more than 100 flowers each summer. The ravishing blossoms sit atop slender stalks that arise from a lush clump of strap-shaped, fresh green leaves. This dwarf Agapanthus is very suitable for perennial borders or container planting on the balcony, terrace or patio.
Agapanthus ‘Ever Sapphire’
Agapanthus ‘Ever Sapphire’ is a dwarf, semi-evergreen African Lily boasting loose clusters of deep blue flowers over a long season. Starting flowering in late spring, it reblooms throughout the summer for a long-lasting display. The ravishing blossoms sit atop slender stalks that arise from a lush clump of strap-shaped, fresh green leaves.
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Agapanthus ‘Loch Hope’
Agapanthus ‘Loch Hope’ produces glamorous rounded clusters of trumpet-shaped, deep blue flowers. They rise on stiff, upright stalks atop clumps of beautiful, deciduous, strap-shaped, grey-green leaves. Their foliage mounds remain attractive when the plants are not in bloom. Named after a Scottish lake, this is one of the latest Agapanthus varieties to flower.
Agapanthus ‘Twister’
Agapanthus ‘Twister’ is a medium sized semi-evergreen African Lily boasting umbels of bicolored flowers which change from blue at the throat to white on the petal edges. They sit atop tall, slender stalks that arise from a lush clump of semi-glossy, strap-shaped, green leaves. Featuring a nice compact habit, this gorgeous bicolored Agapanthus is very suitable for perennial borders or container planting on the balcony, terrace or patio.
Agapanthus ‘Silver Moon’
A very attractive variegated Lily of the Nile, Agapanthus ‘Silver Moon’ enlivens the summer garden with its brightly stripped silvery-white, strap-shaped leaves. It is topped in summer with abundant rounded clusters of trumpet-shaped, lavender-blue flowers, which rise with majesty on stiff, upright stalks. Featuring a nice compact habit, this dwarf Agapanthus is ideal for small gardens or containers.
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Agapanthus ‘Blue Heaven’
Agapanthus ‘Blue Heaven’ is an upright, clump forming African Lily with profuse rounded clusters packed with up to 80 dark violet-blue flowers. Blooming from mid summer to early fall, they rise on stiff, upright stalks atop clumps of large, evergreen, strap-shaped leaves. This reblooming African Lily is suitable for cut flowers, and as a container or landscape plant.
Agapanthus ‘Fireworks’
Agapanthus ‘Fireworks’ is a compact African Lily boasting huge umbels densely packed with delicate trumpet flowers which change from dark, violet blue at the throat to pure white on the petal edges. They sit atop slender stalks that arise from a neat clump of strap-shaped, fresh green leaves. This exquisite dwarf Agapanthus is very suitable for perennial borders or container planting on the balcony, terrace or patio.
Also Read: Different Types of Jade Plants
Agapanthus ‘Donau’
Agapanthus ‘Donau’ is a lovely African Lily with showy rounded clusters of star-shaped, pale-blue flowers adorned with dark-blue central stripes. Blooming from mid to late summer, the showy flowers, rise on stiff, upright stalks atop clumps of beautiful, deciduous, arching, lustrous green leaves.
Agapanthus ‘Midnight Star’
A popular variety of African Lily, Agapanthus ‘Midnight Star’ is a deciduous perennial with large, rounded clusters of midnight blue, trumpet shaped flowers from mid to late summer. They rise on stiff, upright stalks atop clumps of beautiful, narrowly strap-shaped leaves.
Agapanthus ‘Luly’
Agapanthus ‘Luly’ is a particularly charming African Lily with striking rounded clusters of pale-blue, star-shaped flowers, each petal with a darker mid-vein. Blooming from mid to late summer, they rise with majesty on stiff, upright stalks atop clumps of beautiful, semi-evergreen, arching, dark green leaves.
Conclusion
African lilies are perennial flowers that come from the plant family, Amaryllidaceae, to which daffodils also belong. Although the most used common name is African liliy, this plant goes by monikers, including agapanthus, which comes from the scientific name; lily of the Nile and Aunt Aggy’s pants. The word Agapanthus comes from the Greek words for flower and love.