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 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 | Green | |
| Autumn | Yellow Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical 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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