Agapanthus campanulatus Seeds - South African Indigenous Perennial Bulb

Agapanthus campanulatus Seeds

Lily of the Nile

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 Africas 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 borders as well as in containers. Agapanthus campanulatus is a dainty deciduous Agapanthus from the Drakensberg; this is a good choice for gardeners in cold areas who struggle to grow evergreen Agapanthus. Agapanthus campanulatus is deciduous, growing in spring - summer and dormant during winter. It is a clump-forming perennial, growing 0.4 to 1 m tall. The slender, glossy green or greyish-green, strap-like leaves narrow to a distinct purplish stem-like base and it produces 6-12 leaves per plant. Agapanthus campanulatus is indigenous to South Africa and found growing in colonies in moist grassland, moist slopes, valley bottoms, drainage lines, damp cliffs and on rocky slopes up to 2400 m in the Eastern Cape, Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Mpumalanga.