Agapanthus inapertus
closed African lily
A clump-forming herbaceous perennial 90-150cm or more high with deciduous, rather upright, strap-shaped leaves, up to 70cm long and 2-3cm across, and stiff, upright stems topped by umbels, 10-15cm across, of hanging flowers, 2.5-4cm long, in late summer and early autumn; the flowers are in shades of blue, often purplish and sometimes very dark in colour, and are tubular with the segments barely open at the mouth
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Blue Purple | Green | |
| Autumn | Green | Blue Purple | Yellow Green | |
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical 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
- South Africa, Mozambique
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in full sun, and in colder areas provide winter protection with a loose mulch; in containers, grow 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 in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Mediterranean climate plants
- City and courtyard gardens
- Gravel garden
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Cut flowers
- Wall side borders
Pruning
No pruning required: allow flowering stems to remain, 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
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