Summer Love™ Blue Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus)
Perennial
- Early flowering and blooms all summer long!
- Great for cut flower arrangements.
- Rare & unusual plant for sunny gardens.
- Zones 7-10, sun, 2.5′ tall x 20” wide at maturity
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Lily of the Nile, famous for their multiple funnel-shaped flowers, will grace your summer garden with their quirky clusters of blooms. Visually similar to Allium, these heat-loving perennials send up tall clusters of flowers out of the dense, strappy foliage. It's evergreen in warmer climates, and though it disappears over winter in zones 7, it will re-emerge in spring for another season of flowers. Although drought tolerant once established, these South African natives will enjoy any well-drained soil and moderate moisture.
Details
Common name: Lily of the Nile
Zone: 4 - 10
Sun exposure: Sun (> 6 hours sun)
Height x width: 2.5’ tall and 20” wide
Flower color: Blue
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Summer
Bloom time: Summer, fall
Features: Rare & unusual, low flammability, heat tolerant, deer resistant, container plants, best for beginners
Uses: Edging, flower gardens, wildlife gardens, native plant gardens, cut flowers
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: Evergreen in warm climates. In colder zones, Agapanthus can be overwintered in containers sheltered in a cool spot indoors.
Maintenance & pruning: Little needed. Cut flowers as desired for arrangements. 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.