Agapanthus is an African lily. Agapanthus - planting and care in open ground. Used not only for decorative purposes.

Agapanthus is a perennial plant that is a very graceful blue flower with six petals. Also known as the "Lily of the Nile", because it originally grew in the south of the African continent, on mountain slopes and coasts.

Currently, due to its decorative value, it is grown both indoors and for landscaping garden plots, parks, and lawns.

The plant has characteristics of the onion, amaryllis, and lily families. The classification of the flower, being a subject of debate among scientists, led to its separation into an independent species - Agapantaceae. It is considered in many countries a symbol of success and prosperity. In Europe, the flower became popular in the 17th century.

The life span of agapanthus is quite long; in most varieties it is evergreen, has an elongated peduncle and leaves of an exotic shape, which are somewhat reminiscent of the leaves of yellow daylily, which has long been widely used for decorative purposes.

The plant has a characteristic, rather fleshy, short root and thick stem (the flower reaches a height of one and a half meters). Flowering time is long, up to 2 months.

About 30 funnel-shaped flowers are collected in inflorescences (diameter - 30-45 mm) in the shape of an umbrella of delicate colors - from blue-lilac to milky white, have 6 petals, stamens with brown pollen. Peak flowering occurs in July and ends at the end of August.

The leaves form a rosette near the root of the flower, spread along the ground, belt-like and hard.

Agapanthus grow in large groups; being native to Africa, they tolerate hot climates well, but cold below (+10 °C) is destructive for them.

Types and varieties of agapanthus

The plant has many hybrid varieties, partly due to the work of breeders who, by pollinating different varieties, obtain new colors.

The most common is Agapanthus Umbrella, which is the ancestor of other varieties. The original color is blue. Blue Agapanthus (Agapanthus Blue) from this species, due to the bright heavenly color of the flowers, is most in demand for decorative purposes. Not very tall (up to a meter), but with long and hard leaves, two-centimeter bell-shaped inflorescences. Excellent for both lawn and compact indoor growing.

The eastern variety is characterized by early flowering, up to 70 cm in height, leaves reaching 60 centimeters in length, curved. The inflorescence is spherical and contains up to hundreds of white-cornflower blue flowers.

The African species has graceful flowers of blue shades, on each petal of which there is a light longitudinal stripe in the center. They are large and gather in flower stalks of 20-30 pieces. Plants reach a height of 60-75 cm.

Among the decorative varieties obtained by breeders, the following varieties can be distinguished:

Care and planting of agapanthus

Agapanthus will feel comfortable at +10...+28 °C, and good lighting. Lack of light causes excessive elongation of the stem and its fragility, in which case special support may be needed.

Windy or drafty places are undesirable - due to the length of the stems, the wind can break them. Otherwise, the flower will need to be replanted and protected from the wind by other plants.

The soil needs to be slightly acidic, containing sand or sandstone, or neutral, moderate watering, regular organic fertilizing is desirable. These requirements apply to both outdoor and indoor cultivation.

In the open ground

Planting and care in open ground is possible even for a novice gardener. When the temperature drops below +10 °C, it is recommended to dig up the plant, plant it in a temporary tray and bring it into a not too warm room.

In winter, care for a dormant flower is not required. If the climate is not too cold, it can winter outside. It is covered with a box (cardboard, wooden), sprinkled with fallen leaves or sawdust on top.

If the stems are stretched excessively, they need to be strengthened with supports. It is better to use soil with a predominance of sand, preferably adding leaf humus. When choosing a location, preference should be given to the well-lit sides of the site, southern, eastern, western.

Spraying the leaves is not required, but in the case of a dry early summer, watering is necessary, especially before flowering. As autumn approaches, watering rates are reduced. When planting, the distance between plants should be at least 50 cm, because The foliage of the plants is quite lush and spreading. The seedlings are deepened into the soil by 10-15 cm.

At home

At home, agapanthus needs space, so you will need a spacious container. At its bottom, be sure to arrange drainage from fine crushed stone and provide a hole for the outflow of excess water. In winter, the plant is dormant, the ambient temperature should be about +15 °C, and rare watering is needed.

With the onset of spring, it is better to place the flowerpot in a sunny window and water it intensively. In summer, daytime “walks” in the fresh air are very useful. There is no need to spray the plant additionally; it is also not afraid of dry air during the heating season. But feeding is extremely desirable, at least from the beginning of flowering until the seeds ripen.

Agapanthus transplant

The roots of the plant are very delicate, so replanting must be done very carefully.

Young ones can be replanted annually with the onset of spring, before the flower emerges from hibernation. Older agapanthus - no more than once every three years; flowers after 10 years are not recommended to be replanted unless absolutely necessary.

It is possible to grow agapanthus from seeds, but the first flowers will appear only after 5-7 years. The seeds are soaked for 2-3 hours and planted in early spring in a box and covered with film. The film is removed 2-3 times a day to allow air to enter.

Carefully regulate the soil moisture without flooding or overdrying it. After 1-2 weeks, the seeds will sprout and the film can be removed completely. With the appearance of the fourth leaf, the flowers are ready to be transplanted to a permanent location.

Propagation by division is much easier, and flowering will occur the next year. You can divide in spring or late autumn. The flower is dug up and part of the tuber is cut off with a sharp knife along with the rosette leaves. The cut area is wiped with activated carbon. At first, the separated plants are watered minimally; as growth begins, watering is resumed in full.

Often, next to the flower, if the conditions are favorable, so-called daughters appear - shoots from the root; they are very carefully separated (the rhizome is tender) and planted independently.

Pests and diseases of agapanthus

Here are the main health problems of agapanthus and methods of treating them.

Agapanthus, Agapanthus family (Agapanthaceae). There are many types of Agapanthus. Some species shed their leaves in winter, some are evergreen. At the last congress of taxonomists, studies were presented on the basis of which some of the species are considered a subspecies of other species, leaving two evergreen species.

Kinds

Agapanthus umbellata, or African(A. africanus) - up to 40 cm long, consists of approximately 30 individual flowers.

(A. praecox) - divided into 3 subspecies:

1. Agapanthus praecox subsp. Praecox– flowers are longer than 5 cm and 10-11 leaves on one rhizome.
2. Agapanthus praecox subsp. Orientalis- a dense, tall plant with flowers 5 cm, with about 20 leaves on individual rhizomes.
3. Agapanthus praecox subsp. Minimus- the smallest subspecies, grows to a maximum of 60 cm, has fewer flowers in the inflorescence and less than 10 leaves per rhizome. Blooms earlier and longer than other subspecies.

Agapanthus grown at home are rarely classified as subspecies. The reason is the plant’s ability to naturally cross different subspecies. Enough, two different species growing close to each other. You should not trust the label and then be surprised that the copies are not similar to each other, although they were purchased under the same name.

Agapanthus africanus has a popular variety " Peter Pan"(Peter Pan), dwarf form. Long leathery strappy leaves and large floral umbels of bright blue flowers. Agapanthus "Peter Pan" may suffer from leaf damage and stem dieback in cold gardens. The variety can withstand temperatures down to -10°C.

Description

Agapanthus was brought to Europe from South Africa in the 17th century. Height 30-120 cm. Species that shed leaves in winter grow up to 150 cm. Flowering period is from July to October. Hybrids may bloom earlier. Flower color, shades of blue, blue-violet and white. Place in almost direct sunlight; some hybrids bloom well in partial shade.

Care

Agapanthus needs open ground with plenty of organic matter and plenty of water in spring and summer. Prefers abundant watering rather than frequent watering. Next watering when the soil dries out a little. Water in the morning to allow wet leaves to dry before evening. Otherwise gray mold may appear. Irrigation requires water at room temperature, regular watering; agapanthus reacts to prolonged drought with weak or no flowering. During the growing season, feed with fertilizers for flowering plants once a week. It is advisable to fertilize every second watering, in a dose equal to half that indicated on the package. Agapanthus prefers fertilizer with a high dose of phosphorus. Phosphorus affects abundant and long-lasting flowering.

In the fall, if temperatures begin to drop below 10°C, you should consider bringing the plant indoors. The optimal wintering temperature is quite low, 2-8 °C. For evergreen species, the room should be well lit.

Landing

In March, the condition of the roots is checked. Agapanthus is replanted if absolutely necessary. If possible, you can replace the top layer of backing. If transplanted too early or into a large pot, there will be scanty or no flowering. The pot should be one size larger. Replant in slightly acidic open soil, rich and quite airy. The purchased soil is enriched by adding compost soil and vermiculite. Without compost, nothing special will happen. Vermiculite or perlite is sold in every gardening store, vermiculite prevents soil demand and improves air circulation around the roots. For best flowering, plants should be divided every 4 years.

Frost resistance

Agapanthus early is able to withstand short periods of zero temperatures.

Headbourne hybrids must spend the winter under a continuous covering in frost resistance zone 6b. Experience says this is just a theory. You need to carefully approach sensational new products, as a rule - a marketing gimmick.

Reproduction

Reproduction at home, a kind of hybrid propagation, by sowing seeds is a lottery. Wanting to have an identical plant, must be propagated by division, difficult to implement, the rhizome is quite confusing.

Diseases and pests

The plant is less susceptible to diseases and pests. In old clumps of leaves soaked at night when watering, it may appear gray mold. Snails are often found between the leaves; they treat agapanthus as a shelter, not food.

Notes

There are four species that shed their leaves for the winter:

• (A. campanulatus) – characterized by purple pollen, open anthers appear dark blue.
• Agapanthus stem(A. caulescens) - less popular species, easy to grow.
• Agapanthus coddii- with the widest leaves.
• Agapanthus closed(A. inapertus) - dark blue almost tubular flowers that hang on petioles.

The peculiarity of species that shed their leaves for the winter is to bloom while remaining dormant for at least 6 years.

This plant, whose name means “flower of love,” is often called the African lily, since it is native to Africa and has a funnel-shaped shape. Delicate blue flowers, collected in inflorescences, reach a diameter of 1.7-3 cm. They are formed on strong stems 70-100 cm high and bloom from July to the end of September.

Agapanthus grows equally well in garden plots in open ground and indoors. The long, pointed leaves remain green until spring if the plant is dug up from the flowerbed and replanted in a box indoors. Order and plant blue agapanthus bulbs, and in the summer light blue umbrellas of small lilies will appear in your flower garden.

Rules for planting and care

You can plant it in the garden in spring in a sunny area. The plant thrives in slightly acidic or neutral soil fertilized with organic matter. Planting depth is 5-10 cm, distance between bushes is up to 50 cm.

The variety is drought-resistant, but for better growth it needs to be watered regularly and loosen the soil. Fertilizers are applied a couple of times a month. Shelter is required for the winter period.

Benefits of buying Agapanthus blue bulbs

• Evergreen variety, beautiful color of inflorescences.
• Possibility to grow both in the garden and on the balcony.
• Easy to care for, resistant to pests and drought.
• Planting material is stored in our own warehouses and is always in stock.

Place your order as soon as possible, and your site will be refreshed with a delicate heavenly color this year!

Agapanthus (Agapanthus) is a genus of perennial herbaceous plants of the Agapantaceae family, according to other sources - Liliaceae. The name is translated from Greek as love and flower. Today, scientists distinguish it as an independent separate species, from which the name of the flower comes - Agapantaceae. South Africa is the birthplace of the plant. In its natural environment, it is found mainly on mountain slopes and near the sea coast.

Botanical description

Agapanthus is a plant with highly branched, fleshy roots. The vast majority of this mass is located in the upper layers of the soil.

The leaves are dark green, long basal, belt-shaped, linear, strong, collected in dense rosettes. The length of the foliage varies from 50 to 70 cm. Between flowering it forms a spherical ornamental bush. During the flowering period, a powerful long peduncle with a round cross-section, 40-150 cm high, grows from the center of the leaf rosette. At the top of the peduncle, a dense spherical inflorescence with a diameter of up to 25 cm is formed.

The flowers are large, collected in an umbrella inflorescence. They are located on their own thin stems, bell-shaped, funnel-shaped, white, blue or lavender in color. The length of one bud is about 5 cm. In strong and older agapanthus, the number of flowers in one inflorescence can reach 150 pieces. They bloom gradually, because of this one plant can bloom for up to two months.

This plant has one feature - toxic substances located on its leaves. Therefore, you should limit touching your hands with foliage or use skin protection.

The fruit is a seed capsule. Ripens 1-1.5 months after pollination of the flower. The seeds are dark brown, flat.

Features of care and reproduction at home

Agapanthus adapts well to indoor and garden conditions. He is unpretentious and not
requires special care. But certain rules must be followed.

Fertilizer

The plant is fed with mineral and organic fertilizers during the period of its active growth and flowering. Alternating every 10 days, from the beginning of spring to the end of autumn.

Lighting

The plant requires a well-lit, draft-free place. In insufficient light, the flower stalks stretch out, which greatly spoils the appearance. In winter, a well-lit, cool place is preferable.

Temperature

In hot summer it is better to place it outdoors. In winter, in indoor conditions, it is preferable to choose well-lit, cool rooms with an air temperature of no more than 12°C. In the southern regions, under garden conditions, the plant can be left in open ground, but covered with sawdust or other material. In regions with a temperate climate, it cannot be left outside, but should be brought into a room with a certain temperature regime.

Watering and air humidity

From spring to autumn, water abundantly to develop the root system. With sufficient watering, the plant blooms vigorously. In winter, reduce the amount of water, making sure that the soil does not dry out. It is recommended to spray Agapanthus leaves daily and occasionally rinse under running water. It is better to use soft water so that unsightly limescale stains do not appear on the foliage. It is better not to wet the flower stalks to avoid rapid withering.

The soil

For abundant flowering and good growth, a mixture of humus, clay-turf, sand and leaf soil (2:2:1:1) is required. For better moisture retention, add a little clay soil if possible. And for water permeability, pieces of charcoal are placed. The container should be wide enough with good drainage.

Transfer

This flower does not like frequent picking and develops better in a small pot. Adults are replanted every 3-4 years, and young ones are preferably replanted every spring. When planting, you should handle the roots carefully, as they are very fragile and break easily. Because of this, the plant may not tolerate transplantation well or even die.

Reproduction

Agapanthus reproduces in several ways: shoots, seeds and division of the bush.

Processes. “Children” are formed next to the mother plant, which are separated and transplanted into another container. They must be separated carefully without damaging the root system, otherwise the plant will not bloom.

From seeds. They are pre-soaked in water for 2-3 hours. It is better to sow them in a mixture of leaf soil with sand or in a peat tablet in March. Sprinkle a little soil on top and create a greenhouse effect by covering with glass or a plastic bag. If possible, ventilate several times a day for 30-40 minutes. When the first leaves appear, the flower is transplanted into more fertile soil.

Dividing the bush. When transplanting in the spring, the plant is divided. In this case, the root system is carefully cut, processed and dried on the cut. Wrap the remaining roots in a wet cloth and leave for 2-3 days. Next, it is planted in the prepared soil, trying not to over-moisten it. When the agapanthus gets stronger, you can start watering.

Diseases

— Waterlogging of the soil causes the formation of yellow leaves. Regulating watering will help correct this situation.
— When asked about the problem of strongly elongated peduncles, the answer should be sought in insufficient lighting.
— The foliage falls and dries. Agapanthus is affected by scale insects or spider mites. It is necessary to treat it several times with a soap solution or use special products.

Planting and care in open ground

The plant is completely unpretentious, but only in hot climates. In cold regions, it develops and blooms profusely only in greenhouse conditions.

 Location. It is better to choose a windless, sunny place with little shade. When planted in the shade, the plant will stretch, the leaves will fade, and most likely will not bloom. If a peduncle does form, the inflorescences on it will be ugly and weak. Strong sunshine should also be avoided to avoid burns. If possible, it is advisable to allocate a spacious area for it, as it forms a sprawling rosette of leaves.

 Planting in a flower bed. Planting seedlings or indoor plants in open ground is carried out only after the onset of warm weather. The roots must be removed carefully, as they are easily damaged and this can lead to death.

 Planting process:

 It is advisable to dig a hole for agapanthus that is not deep - about 8-10 cm. When planting several pieces, you should maintain a distance between bushes of at least 60 cm. Carefully place the seedlings in the hole without damaging the roots, and gently compact the soil. Then you need to cover the flower bed around the bushes with material to prevent moisture evaporation.

 Replantation is carried out, if necessary, once every 3 years.

 Feeding and watering. The flower needs moderate watering. In the absence of precipitation, the soil should be moistened as the upper layers dry out with a moderate amount of water. Frequent and generous watering causes rotting of the root system and the formation of diseases. In cold weather, it is better to stop watering.

 During budding and flowering, agapanthus needs to be fed with fertilizers at least 2 times a month. As in home care, mineral fertilizers alternate with organic ones. You can fertilize them before the end of the growing season.

 Plant in winter. The perennial easily tolerates wintering in open ground, provided that the temperature does not fall below +10⁰С for evergreen varieties, and +5⁰С for deciduous varieties. But even in this situation, it must be covered with fallen leaves. In regions with cold and temperate climates, the flower is transplanted into a pot as soon as the temperature reaches below +5⁰С.

Types of agapanthus with photos

 Umbrella (Agapanthus umbellatus L’Her.). Known as the Abyssinian beauty or African lily. Homeland - South Africa (Cape Province). A herbaceous plant reaching a height of 70 cm. It stands out with a dense rosette of smooth, belt-like, grooved, dark green leaves that taper at the ends. The inflorescence is umbellate. The peduncle is long with many blue funnel-shaped flowers. The perianth consists of 6 petals fused at the base. Flowering begins in June and ends in July-August. Seeds form in 35-40 days.

For example, the same Albus has a feature expressed in the form of white flowers (instead of the traditional blue ones for this species).

 Peter Pan. A graceful dwarf perennial plant with sky-blue bells. The height of the bush is only 35-37 cm. Flowers bloom in open ground from May to October. Provided the climate is warm or placed near a heat source, agapanthus can bloom in winter.

 Eastern (A. orientalis F. M. Leight.) . An evergreen perennial herb. The peduncle reaches 60 cm in height. The inflorescence is umbrella-shaped, consisting of a large number of flowers. The flowers are blue with a lilac tint. The leaves are thick, broadly linear, curved. Blooms from mid-July to late August.

 Bell-shaped (A. campanulatus F. M. Leight.). Perennial deciduous herbaceous miniature plant. In the wild it is found in the mountains of South Africa. The leaves are linear, erect, 10-15 cm long. The flowers are blue, bell-shaped. Blooms in July–August.

 Blue baby. Compact, spherical, low-growing, 15 to 20 cm tall. The shoots are densely pubescent, thick, strong. Basket inflorescence. The flowers are large and dense. The stigmas of the styles are long, dark lilac-blue. The foliage is large, pubescent on the underside. It is considered a late variety. Flowering begins in mid-June and ends in October. Drought resistant.

Botanical name: Agapanthus

Family. Liliaceae.

Origin. The plant is native to South Africa and is distributed throughout the Cape Province where it grows freely in the wild. Grows in the shade of trees to get protection from the scorching sun.

Agapanthus description. The genus "Agapanthus" or African lily includes about 10 species of herbaceous evergreen bulbous perennials that are easy to grow indoors. These showy plants are kept for their exotic blue or white flowers and long flowering period - from late spring to early autumn, depending on the species.

A small shrub with a thick fleshy rhizome, belt-shaped, softly grooved long (up to 60 cm in length and 2 cm in width) leaves, tapering towards the tip, collected in a dense lump at the root - a rosette.

The peduncle is tall - up to 70 cm, without leaves, the inflorescence is large, loose, spherical - a false umbrella with a diameter of 8 to 20 cm, which contains up to 40 flowers that open in turn. Two large bracts are visible under the inflorescence. The flowers are large, funnel-shaped or tubular, in blue and purple tones, sometimes white or pink, gracefully hanging over a rosette of leaves. Some hybrids and varieties have colors that wild plants do not have. Peduncles are thrown out one after another throughout the summer. After flowering, fruits - capsules - are formed.

2.2.Soil for agapanthus in a pot

Rich, peat-based soil with good drainage and some humus and peat content is well suited for growing. The agapanthus flower in the house prefers a mixture of turf, humus, peat soil and sand (4: 5: 1: 1: 1), but can grow on others. Good drainage is required.

2.3.Temperature

In winter, cool keeping is suitable, in a bright room, at a temperature of 4 - 6 ° C; the rest of the time, indoor agapanthus is kept at 20 - 25° C. In dry soil, tolerates short frosts.

2.4. Agapanthus at home

Can be taken out into the open air in summer, but protected from strong wind and rain. During winter, plants may lose some or even all of their leaves - this is normal. Do not forget that wintering of agapanthus should take place in a cool room.

2.5.Flowering period

Even with the slightest mistakes in growing and maintaining it at home, it does not bloom. Even in excellent conditions, plants bloom for the first time at the age of 5 - 8 years and do not bloom every year. If flowering does occur, it lasts for 3 summer months.

2.6. Watering agapanthus

During the period of active growth, high humidity must be maintained. Plants should have sufficiently abundant watering, but not overwatering in the summer. When the plant fades, watering is greatly reduced. In winter, almost completely stop watering. Be careful not to flood the plant, as this can encourage root rot and eventually kill the plant.

2.7.Lighting

Try to provide plenty of light during the growing season - maybe some direct sunlight during the day. Light shading is possible, but in direct sun the stems will be stronger and the flowering will be more abundant and longer. During winter, even when placed on the brightest windowsill, agapanthus often stretch out and become loose, and their leaves turn pale.

2.8.Feeding

Use a weak solution of liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks from spring until the flowering period. During flowering, stop feeding and stop in winter. The plant will definitely thank you for this with lush flowering. Loves both organic and mineral fertilizers.

2.9.Spraying

Tolerates dry room air without spraying or with minor spraying in summer.

2.10.Transfer

They bloom better in tight pots, so there is no need to replant them every year; once every 3 to 4 years is enough, when the plants fill the entire pot. For transplanting, take a slightly larger dish, not deep. Transshipment is desirable for adult plants, since with this method the likelihood of damage to the root system is less. Place a thick layer of drainage on the bottom of the pot.

2.11.Pests and diseases

Yellowing leaf tips indicate overwatering. These plants are not particularly often affected by pests, but sometimes spider mites, scale insects, thrips, and mealybugs appear. aphid. When grown in open ground, slugs and snails can attack the flower.

Insects - pests

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2.12.Purpose

Well suited for growing in small pots on any sunny terrace or balcony as a tapeworm.

2.13.Note

To maintain a neat appearance, remove old foliage before new leaves emerge. It is best to grow in a wooden tub, as ceramic containers can burst due to intensive root growth. One of the beneficial properties is that the plant releases special substances into the air - phytoncides, which help fight bacteria and viruses.

Hydroponics.

3.Types of Agapanthus:

3.1.Early Agapanthus - Agapanthus praecox

Natural climatic conditions: subtropics of South Africa. Grows on mountain slopes and rocks.

Perennial with a shortened scaly stem, height without peduncle about 50 cm; the leaves are dense, belt-shaped, collected in a basal rosette; inflorescence - an umbrella of 30 - 40 flowers, develops at the top of a long peduncle (up to 90 cm in height); the flowers are funnel-shaped, blue-violet, and in some varieties light blue or white.

- Agapanthus umbellatus

IN occurs more often than other types. Herbaceous perennial plant. An excellent small specimen with large umbels of tubular flowers and dark green leaves up to 45 cm high. Loves bright sun and well-drained fertile soil.

3.3.Agapanthus africanus

Agapanthus africanus was the first species collected in South Africa and was described in 1679. The plants were grown in containers in greenhouses in Europe in the late seventeenth century. Plants are found at altitudes of up to 1000 meters above sea level, mainly in mountainous areas in acidic sandy soil. They often grow between stones, and even in lowlands. The pendulous flowers are mostly dark blue; subspecies with white flowers are rare. An evergreen plant with belt-shaped leaves about 1.5 cm wide and 35 cm long. Peduncle up to 70 cm in height.

3.4. Eastern Agapanthus - Agapanthus umbellatus

An even larger plant requires an even more spacious court.

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