'Northern Star' Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus)
Perennial
- Dark blue flower clusters or star-shaped blooms!
- Tall perennial adds vertical interest to mixed beds.
- Attracts bees, butterflies, & hummingbirds to garden.
- Zones 6-11, sun, 4" tall x 12" wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
This tall perennial adds a great element of vertical interest to any mixed garden bed or border, but is also extremely tough. Hardy down to zone 6, resistant to critters like deer and rabbits, and able to handle the heat of zone 11 gardens. It’s no wonder ‘Northern Star’ was a recipient of the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
Details
Patent #: PP20957
Common name: Lily of the Nile
Zone: 6 - 11
Sun exposure: Sun
Height x width: 2-3’ x 1-2’
Flower color: Blue
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Summer
Bloom time: Summer
Features: Rare & unusual, low flammability, heat tolerant, deer resistant, rabbit resistant, container plants, best for beginners
Uses: Edging, flower gardens, borders, mixed beds, containers, urban landscapes
How to Grow
Light: Sun (> 6 hours sun)
Water: Average moisture; tolerates drought once established. Do not overwater.
Spacing: 2-3 feet
Fertilizing: Not required. If more rapid growth is desired, apply a rose fertilizer in early spring.
Winterizing: 'Northern Star' will go dormant over winter, unlike agapanthus in warm climates. This is normal and not a cause for concern. We do recommend a good 2-3" layer of mulch over the plant for winter, especially in zone 6.
Maintenance & pruning: Little needed. Cut flowers as desired for arrangements. Spent seedheads remain attractive through winter when left standing. If any dried portions of the plant remain in early spring, remove them before new growth begins.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.