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Herbaceous Perennial

Agapanthus coddii

Codd's African lily

A herbaceous perennial 1-1.5m high with deciduous, strap-shaped green leaves, 3-5 cm wide and 15-45 cm long, and large heads of dark blue-violet buds which open to blue flowers in late summer

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green Blue Green
Autumn Yellow Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or East–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Humans/Pets (dogs, cats): harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus

Agapanthus are clump-forming perennials with narrowly strap-shaped leaves, evergreen in some species, and erect stems bearing umbels of funnel-shaped blue or white flowers

Name status

Correct

Plant range
S Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow outside in mild areas in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in full sun, and provide winter protection with a dry mulch; in colder areas, grow in containers in peat-free, loam-based compost, water freely when in growth but sparingly in winter, and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly from spring until flowering; for more advice, see Agapanthus cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown at 13-15°C when ripe or in spring, and keep the seedlings in a frame for the first winter in frost-prone climates; or by division between spring and early summer, or in early autumn after plants have finished flowering

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Prairie planting
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

No pruning required except cutting back dead flower stems, but allow them to remain until spring, because the seedheads look attractive over winter

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails and agapanthus gall midge but generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to a virus

Get involved

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