FAMILY LILIACEAE
Agapanthus africanus, sometimes known as the African lily, is a cool greenhouse perennial with a fleshy tuberous root. It was introduced from Cape Province, South Africa, to Europe in the seventeenth century. It is of compact habit, with graceful strapshaped leaves similar to a hippeastrum. From these a stem grows to a height of some 18-30 in (45- 75 cm), bearing a large round flower head or umbel made up of pale blue tubular florets. There is also a white variety.
Pot the tuberous root about 6 in (15 cm) deep in a 7-in (17.5-cm) pot in compost E6 or JI No.2 in early spring. Water the pot and until growth appears water sparingly, after which put the pot on the automatic watering bench until the end of spring, then put the plant outside in a sunny position. If the plant is left in the greenhouse during the summer it is likely that the flowering stem will become elongated. Although these plants will stand full sunshine, they do not require a hot atmosphere. The blooming period is usually during summer. Cease watering at the end of the summer and keep the compost completely dry from autumn until the following spring when the plant can be started into growth merely by watering it. No artificial heat is required as the normal unheated greenhouse temperatures at this time of the year are quite high enough during the day to bring the plant into growth. Agapanthus are quite hardy and only require a frost-proof storage in the winter months when dormant. Repot plants every three or four years, at which time you can increase your stock by root division.
