Blue Heaven / Lily of the Nile
( Agapanthus ‘Blue Heaven’ )
Agapanthus Blue Heaven / Lily of the Nile Origins:
– There are several species of Agapanthus available on the market today and because Lily of the Nile plants hybridize so readily, there are many, many varieties available within those species. All Agapanthus species are native to South Africa.
– Agapanthus ” Blue Heaven” is a hard to find cultivar grown for its
hardy slug resistant evergreen foliage and its reblooming habit that keeps these plants blooming from summer straight into the fall.
Preferred Sun Exposure of the Agapanthus Blue Heaven / Lily of the Nile plant:
– Full sun to partial shade in the North Florida | Jacksonville | St. Augustine area landscape. Agapanthus does well in full sun as long as it is planted into an irrigated landscape. If your garden is extremely sandy and dry consider planting it in a location that will receive some relief from North Florida’s
hot sun. They can be planted in filtered light under taller trees or in areas that receive partial sun and partial shade, but use caution as too much shade can lead to reduced flowering.
Foliage of the Agapanthus Blue Heaven / Lily of the Nile plant:
– Thick green strap like foliage of the Agapanthus “Blue Heaven” remains evergreen during the winter in our North Florida area gardens.
– Plants from a cluster of foliage mounding in appearance.
Salt Tolerance of the Agapanthus Blue Heaven / Lily of the Nile Soil Preference plant:
– Agapanthus Africanus / Lily of the Nile is tolerant of a wide range of soil
components and growing conditions. Although quite drought tolerant once established in the landscape be sure supplemental irrigation is available particularly when planted into a full sun location in well draining or
sandy soils.
– Agapanthus will tolerate wet soils for prolonged periods and can be planted into poorly draining garden sites in our North Florida landscapes.
– Moderately salt tolerant.
Size Variance of the Agapanthus Blue Heaven / Lily of the Nile plant:
– The foliage on the Agapanthus “Blue Heaven” Lily of the Nile plant will reach 16-18 inches high and wide with the flower stalks rising high above the foliage at up to 2 and 1/2 ft high.
Agapanthus Blue Heaven / Lily of the Nile Growth Habit:
– Evergreen, clumping grass like perennial forms an attractive mound of foliage.
– Plants will need dug and divided every 5 or 6 years for best flowering.
Agapanthus Blue Heaven / Lily of the Nile Growth Rate:
– Moderate growing Agapanthus selection.
Agapanthus Blue Heaven / Lily of the Nile Bloom:
– Huge blooms consist of masses of trumpet shaped blossoms that form a
rounded half ball shape and are held high above the foliage on a flowering stalk. Sky blue blossoms have a darker purple blue stripe on the midrib of each petal giving the blossoms a two toned appearance.
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– This Agapanthus selection is a reblooming! It just keeps on going right through summer and into the fall!
– When doing a fact check for this page on Agapanthus I came across an older gardening book that listed Agapanthus blooms as cutting garden material with a note to dip the stems in boiling water for 15 seconds before placing them into your water vase for display. I haven’t tried it yet but I cant
wait for them to bloom so I can give it a try, I’ll let you know if it works!
Water Requirements of the Agapanthus Blue Heaven / Lily of the Nile plant:
– Although drought tolerant once established in the landscape, regular water is necessary to get the plant rooted and growing on its own after being planted in the ground from a nursery container. Use supplemental irrigation when planted in full sun or in extremely sandy soil.
Butterfly or Bird Attracting:
– Agapanthus “Blue Heaven” / Lily of the Nile blooms will attract
hummingbirds and butterfly’s to your garden to feed on the nectar produced by the flowers.
Best Uses For Agapanthus Blue Heaven / Lily of the Nile:
– Agapanthus is a great easy care low maintenance addition to just about any landscape. Agapanthus blend perfectly into traditional formal landscapes and make a perfect last layer when stepping plants down for foundation planting around a home or office. They also are right at home in the middle of a perennial bed and blend beautifully into any Cottage or English garden setting.
– Lily of the Nile make an excellent potted plant accent for the front of a home entryway or patio.
– Excellent pool side planting, in ground or container.
– Perfect in masses under larger trees or landscape specimen plant you want to draw attention to.
– Plant Agapanthus along entryway or garden paths for a gorgeous edging whether in bloom or not, just the foliage itself adds a lush feel to the gardens landscape
– Although touted to be among th best perennial selections for deer resistance, any agapanthus grower in the Julington Creek Plantation are of South Jacksonville may beg to differ, with the land being so quickly developed into subdivisions replacing that have replaced the heavily forested area with suburban lawns and landscapes in St. Johns county, the deer there seem to have taken quite a liking to them,
particularly during the winter months so…who knows, maybe deer resistant but not deer proof! 🙂
Care of Agapanthus “Blue Heaven” / Lily of the Nile:
– Water every day during the establishment period after planting in the garden from a nursery container.
-They will need good water during the establishment period and supplemental irrigation during dry spells or particularly hot dry summers, particularly when planted into sandy soils.
– As with all perennial plantings, amending the soil with compost when planting your Agapanthus plants will help keep them healthy and happy throughout the years.
– These hardy landscape perennials can be divided every 5-6 years for best
results.
– Fertilize each spring with a shovelfull of garden compost or a mixture of Milorganite or Green Edge Fertilizer and a slow release poly coated plant food such as Osmocote or Stay Green general purpose plant food or 10-10-10.