Agapanthus africanus

Antifungal activity of Agapanthus africanus extracts.Fitoterapia, 79: 298-300

Neither agapanthus africanus, the African lily, nor galtonia, the summer hyacinth, are fully hardy.

Only the very tall Agapanthus africanus were grown here until recently, but now shorter varieties are available, which are much more useful for smaller gardens.

One, agapanthus africanus, the evergreen species, has broad strap-like leaves and large heads of flowers.

The flowers are borne in large clusters, nowhere near the size of Agapanthus africanus, but you still get that sunny seaside feel whenever you see them.

10 Agapanthus One of my favourites and I think the most beautiful of all the summer flowering bulbs is Agapanthus africanus. This bulb has robust, deep green foliage, which fills the flower border at ground level, and tall, strong, flowering stems, which bear large bunches of purple-blue flowers that explode out of buds like fireworks.

I bought some smaller varieties last year including one called Charlotte, but the huge ones such as Agapanthus africanus, usually found in grand plantings, do not like too much sun on their fleshy leaves, which may burn, so try and give them some shade.

Many types are available including the white variety agapanthus africanus albus and the almost black agapanthus, black pantha.