Agapanthus caulescens - Seed Pack - South African Indigenous Perennial Bulb - New

Agapanthus is a genus of herbaceous perennial bulbs that mostly bloom in summer. Agapanthus is collectively commonly known as "Lily of the Nile", but it is not a lily and all of the species are indigenous to South Africa from the Cape to the Limpopo River. Species boundaries are not clear in the genus, and in spite of having been intensively studied, the number of species recognized by different authorities varies from 6 to 10. The type species for the genus is Agapanthus africanus. A great many hybrids and cultivars have been produced and they are cultivated throughout warm areas of the world. Agapanthus can be grown within plant hardiness zones 9 to 11. In lower-numbered zones, the bulbs should be placed deeper in the soil and mulched well in autumn. Agapanthus can be propagated by dividing the bulbs or by seeds. The seeds of most varieties are fertile.

Agapanthus is one of South Africa’s best known garden plants and is grown in most countries in the world. Their strap-like leaves and striking blue or white flowers make them favorites in plant borders as well as in containers.

Agapanthus caulescens grows 25cm to 60cm tall. It has broad soft bright green glossy leaves and large gentian blue to lobelia blue flowers during summer. This is one of the most beautiful species in the agapanthus family, but is virtually unknown as a garden plant as it is seldom available from nurseries. The plants are deciduous and occur in summer rainfall areas where the temperature sometimes drops below zero degrees Celsius in winter and where it may snow. In the winter rainfall region of South Africa plants go dormant and are unaffected by the winter rains if they have a well-drained site.