Agapanthus
The Agapanthus, also known as the Lily of the Nile or the African Lily, is native to South Africa. Agapanthus grow on incredibly tall slender green stems, known as ‘scapes’, with no foliage. The strap-like leaves of the Agapanthus plant form a thick scrubby base. The head of the Agapanthus, called the ‘cymes’ or ‘umbel’, is an explosion of hundreds of miniature funnel shaped flowers and flower buds, which can be in either purple, blue or white.
The Agapanthus is a common garden plant, easily grown even in coastal areas – especially if the plant is well watered. It flowers in summer, with cut Agapanthus usually available from November to February.
Florists find the blue Agapanthus useful in baby boy arrangements, as the colour is quite rare in the world of flowers. Agapanthus are frequently used in traditional, ‘cottage’ arrangements. The name ‘Agapanthus’ comes from the Greek, meaning the flower of love.