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Who does n’t love the blue flowers of theAgapanthus plant ?
Agapanthus is the name of the genus for the exotic blue African Lily of the Nile . These showy perennials , native to Southern Africa , hold a strange beauty .
Blooming Agapanthus – Seminole, Florida – image PlantCareToday.com
The genus Agapanthus was make by L’Heritier in 1788 . Formerly of Liliaceae ( lily phratry ) , it now resides in the Amaryllidaceae family and the subfamily Agapanthoideae .
Agapanthus Quick Care Tips
The Debut Of The African Lily
The root of agapanthus care started in Europe during the late 1600s withAgapanthus africanus ( “ ag - ah - PAN - thus af - ri - KAY - nus ” ) , a native of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa .
The bulb have traveled the world and become naturalized in the UK , United States , Jamaica , Mexico , and Australia .
Agapanthus africanuswas the first of the Agapanthus genus to get through the U.S. , where it made a striking debut .
Blooming Agapanthus – Seminole, Florida – image PlantCareToday.com
Africanusmay be the least hardy of the evergreen species , with its lavender - blue flowers rising above basal strap - corresponding leaf . Common gens include :
Two Groups of Agapanthus – Evergreen and Deciduous
The Agapanthus blue can be divide into two groups : Four flora metal money which are evergreen , and six deciduous species .
South Africa is the only place Agapanthus pass naturally .
The name Agapanthus comes from the Greek agapé , love , and anthos , peak , translating to “ blossom of sexual love . ”
Generally , most people retrieve of Agapanthus bulb . In fact , they may be listed in catalogs under bulbs . However , these perennials are not bulbs ; they have thick , fleshy ascendant .
Most of these down in the mouth perennials , know by the common name of “ Lily of the Nile , ” would be consider hardy for planting in the ground . In USDA Zones 7 to 10 – new Agapanthus mixture are extending that mountain range .
In locations colder than USDA Hardiness Zone 7 , grow Agapanthus works as potted flora .
Agapanthus Blue Plant Care
All too often , if a flora is hardy and wanton to grow , it can find itself overdrive or not considered for use since it could be so “ vulgar . ”
Many homeowner search for something novel – get bored or deficiency excitation for a bloomer possibly found “ next threshold . ”
Agapanthus flora , like so many other first-class landscape painting flowering plants , are a charmer when grown , used , and presented right . They make a rattling emphasis flora .
[ easy - tweet tweet=”Agapanthus plants , when grow , used and presented right … they are a charmer . ” ]
Size & Growth
One of Agapanthus ’s fine assets is its flowering . peak colors of deep blue , and reddish blue to white flowers , show themselves from thesesummer bulbsin mid to late summer and , in some areas all , the way into October .
works also can be deciduous or evergreen , short or improbable , variegated or strong light-green leafage , along with open efflorescence or dense , tight heads .
No matter the sizing , the agapanthus blossom chaff always appear to be matter down by the “ heavy ” prime clusters sitting atop them . The deciduous Agapanthus mintage :
… are mostly considered hardier and should rest for the winter .
The true furious specie evergreen agapanthus is known as a unmanageable plant life to grow .
However , one of the cultivar is the well - knowndwarf Agapanthus ‘ Peter Pan , ’ 18″ inch stem with medium dispirited flowers .
Many of the agapanthus diverseness today take the word “ Blue , ” which is more of a color cooking stove of sinister lavender to illume blue .
Some of the dark hybrids can be almost navy blue resulting from crosses withAgapanthus inapertus .
There are several white agapanthus cultivar available .
agree to PlantzAfrica.com ( South Africa National Biodiversity Institute ) – “ Many gardener and even some authors of publications erroneously call the agapanthus in polish Agapanthus africanus . This is almost certainly wrong . Agapanthus africanus is a winter rain plant and is difficult tocultivate , needing very well - drain soil , red-hot , dry summertime , and wet winters . Practically all the evergreen agapanthus in cultivation worldwideare cross or cultivars of Agapanthus praecox . ”
Eye-Catching Blue Flower
In appearance , the foliage of Agapanthus search much likeamaryllis . The efflorescence stalking of improbable stem , sometimes 3′ foot high , is topped with clustering ( umbel ) of 20 to 30 showy hopeful blue funnel - influence blooms , eye - catching and long - persistent .
To keep these plants with their fantabulous flower blossom freely , divide the evergreen variety every 3 to 4 class .
Deciduous varieties should just be leave alone , even in pots where they get well when crowd .
Light & Temperature
In areas where summertime high temperature is acute , turn the plants in fond shade ; otherwise , keep them in full sunlight .
In USDA growing climate Zones 8 through 11 , Agapanthus can stay in the ground all year . In Zone 8 and the quick region of Zone 7 , mulch is a saucy idea .
When growing in northerly zones move , plants in container are back outside after the last threat of frost passes .
Watering and Feeding
Agapanthus loves water and should not be allowed to dry out in summer . Where it is colder , these make overnice house industrial plant in big bay window .
When the growing season starts , fertilise with a balanced fertilizer and keep the soil well - watered .
Soil Type & Transplanting
Plant Blue Lily - of - the - Nile Agapanthus at a astuteness of 2″ – 3″ inchesin rich grunge , well supplied with humus .
When you plant in container varieties like Agapanthus puritanical yonder , it likes fertile , moist , and well - drain grime plentiful in compost or organic matter .
Grooming And Maintenance
Deadhead to advance more flower bud and prevent plant life from give way to seed .
How To Propagate Agapanthus
watershed bundle every 3 - 5 years in spring , remove offset , and replant them .
The deciduous Agapanthus varieties should be divided in March . The evergreen case should be divided after flowering .
Step for Dividing Agapanthus Plants
More onDividing Agapanthus Bulbs
Agapanthus Pests or Diseases
Slugs and snail jaw leaves ; otherwise , nothing major
Suggested Uses to Plant Agapanthus Flowers
Agapanthus makes a wonderful addition to a blossom margin . Check out some of the newdwarf Agapanthus varietiesat your local glasshouse .
Grow plants in containers or tubs for effective , bluff idiom . aggroup them in front of a hydrangea or pink Belladonna lily . Combine with Alstroemeria , blanched Crinum asiaticum , or Coreopsis .
Agapanthus attracts bees , butterflies , and hummingbird .
Dry the seminal fluid heads for use year - turn in dried arrangements .
Agapanthus “African Lily” Facts
Images : Blue Yonder – AG 3|Storm Cloud – AG 3
