Plant of the Month: August
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Agapanthus campanulatus
Common name: African blue lily
Family: Alliaceae
Vital statistics
Height and spread: Over time can form large clumps 50cm wide
Form: Bulbous perennial
Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Aspect: Full sun
Hardiness: Hardy in some regions; needs frost-free protection in winter |
Agapanthus campanulatus can be found around the edges of the two main Viburnum beds in the Hilltop Garden where they are flourishing in a south-facing situation.
Other Agapanthus species can be found growing throughout the Dry Garden where they benefit from the sharp drainage and full sun.
Genus Agapanthus
There are just 10 species of Agapanthus, all of which are endemic to South Africa. Their distribution extends from the Cape Peninsula in the Western Cape of South Africa to the mountain ranges south of the Limpopo River in the Northern Province.
As well as the 10 species, that hybridisation occurs readily, and the many different forms within a species, there are many cultivars showing a great degree of variation.
All Agapanthus are herbaceous perennials with thickened, short, cylindrical stems, thick fleshy roots and deep green, strap-shaped leaves. However some Agapanthus are evergreen while others are deciduous, dying back to the bulb each year.
The deciduous members naturally begin their growth cycle with the spring rains, resulting in rapid vegetative growth and culminating in flowers in the middle of summer. The evergreen Agapanthus will shed a few older leaves annually and will flower for a longer period, often beginning in late spring and only ending as the temperatures fall in autumn.
Grown for their tubular, blue or white flowers Agapanthus inflorescences, while looking good in any pot or border, are also good for cutting. Though if left to flower naturally the developing seed heads are also very decorative. Agapanthus flowers are borne in 3 different types of inflorescences, rounded umbels of bell- to trumpet-shaped flowers, pendent umbels of tubular flowers and an intermediate between the two types where the flowers are mainly trumpet-shaped.
The genus name Agapanthus comes from the Greek words agape, meaning love, and anthos, referring to the flower. The reason they were called 'flowers of love' has been long forgotten since being named by L'Heritier in 1788 after the first species, Agapanthus africanus, was discovered in 1679.
Agapanthus campanulatus
Agapanthus campanulatus is a vigorous, clump forming, deciduous Agapanthus from the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho. It has narrow strap-shaped, greyish green leaves and produces pale to dark blue flowers in mid to late summer.
It is often recommended as a plant for the back of a wide herbaceous border as the plants are tall, with the flower stems reaching up to 1m in cultivation.
Cultivation
Agapanthus are one of the easiest cultivated bulbs though, outside of mild areas, they are not fully hardy in Britain. They generally require a position in full sun, otherwise they will produce lush foliage and very little flower, and will grow in the poorest of soils.
Deciduous Agapanthus are generally hardier than evergreen ones and both will tolerate a light frost. Even when the foliage is severely damaged by frost the rootstock will often survive and resprout. In cold areas added protection with a deep mulch of straw or bracken is recommended to help ensure that damage is kept to a minimum.
The deciduous Agapanthus are also remarkably tolerant of winter rainfall provided that the soil is well drained.
Once established in a border Agapanthus are drought resistant and need little care, though they will flower best if given plenty of water when in growth.
Like many herbaceous perennials and bulbs the foliage is often attacked by slugs and snails but otherwise Agapanthus are generally free from pests and diseases.
More information on Agapanthus can be found in the advice section.
Propagation
Propagation by division is the spring most widely used method of propagation and is the most reliable way of ensuring that the plants are true to type.
Seeds are best sown immediately after ripening as they have limited viability. Sow at a temperature of between 13-15°C and keep the seedlings in a frost free frame for the first winter. They should flower after about 3 years, though due to hybridisation the results may not be as expected.