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Botanical name: Agapanthus africanus ‘Blue’
This variety produces a mound of luxurious narrow green foliage; lovely light blue flower clusters appear in late summer on tall stems; perfect as an accent plant in the garden, or massed along borders.
Other names: Lily of the Nile, African Lily
| Hardiness zone | 7b |
|---|---|
| Flower color | sky blue |
| Foliage type | evergreen |
| Plant form | towering |
| Mature height | 12 inches (30 inches with the flowers) |
| Spread | 18 inches |
| Light requirements | full sun to partial shade |
| Moisture requirements | average to moist |
| Plant origin | import |
Blue African Agapanthus features bold clusters of sky blue trumpet-shaped flowers rising above the foliage from late summer to early fall, which emerge from distinctive violet flower buds. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its narrow leaves remain dark green in color throughout the year. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Blue African Agapanthus is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with a rigidly upright and towering form. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Blue African Agapanthus is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Accent, Mass Planting, General Garden Use, Container Planting
Blue African Agapanthus will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity extending to 30 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years.
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Blue African Agapanthus is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
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