Agapanthus

North Florida Agapanthus

/ Lily of the Nile

varieties at

S & J Tree Farm and Nursery

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. There are dwarf selections and larger selections with flowers that range from white to blue and even to a deep dark purple. Some species are dominantly evergreen while others are deciduous or semi evergreen and may loose their leaves each winter as they lie dormant waiting only to regrow from the ground bigger and better than the previous year.

Although most varieties of Agapanthus will prosper when planted in full sun or full shade and in a wide range of soil components from well drained sand to heavy moist clay, knowing what type of Agapanthus you
have purchased will help to know what to expect from your planting and how to care for them properly.

Here’s a quick rundown on some of the more common species of Agapanthus for comparison.

Agapanthus Africanus

Lily of the Nile / African Lily

By far the most common species of Agapanthus for our North Florida gardens is the Agapanthus Africanus. An evergreen clump forming perennial plant that puts out 20-30+ flowering clusters each summer on every plant! The bright blue blooms are made up of a clump of small trumpet like flowers all clustered together to form
almost a ball shape. They bloom readily each summer and are a very low maintenance landscape solution for the North
Florida gardener.

Agapanthus Africanus Dwarf Peter Pan

A miniature version of the tried and true Agapanthsu africanus with smaller foliage and smaller blooms but perfect for plantings where the traditional agapanthus that we all know and love would be just a little to large for the space.

Agapanthus africanus x Storm Cloud

One of my absolute favorite new selections of agapanthus africanus ‘Storm Cloud’ gives you all the evergreen hardiness of the heirloom seedling Agapanthus we all know and love with the added bonus of those bright purple blooms. Although, to be fair the Storm clouds blooms are quite a bit smaller than that of the heirloom seedling sky blue parent plant they still grab your attention with that beautiful purple bloom.

 Note : this plant although originally thought to be a hybrid of Agapanthus africanus and inapertus is now thought to actually have had oreintalis heritage and is now more commonly being classified as such. For my purposes here it remains at its more commonly known designation.

Agapanthus Praecox

Although it doesnt hold true in our North Florida gardens, Agapanthus praecox is thought to be the most commonly planted of the agapanthus species, often mistakenly sold as agapanthus africanus
or agapanthus umbellatus, the plants are very similar in appearance to agapanthus africanus but agapanthus praecox oreintalis is a bit larger with stems reaching 4-5 ft in height and mature clumps are said to be able to produce 100 flowering stalks on each plant during the summer months. Grown and bred for their profuse flowering habit, and
evergreen foliage.

Agapanthus White Heaven

Agapanthus Blue Heaven

Agapanthus Campanula’s

Bluebell Agapanthus / African Bluebell

Deciduous foliage of the Agapthus Campanula’s will lie dormant each winter and regrow rapidly
each spring to a height of around 3 feet. Flower clusters tend to droop downward and are found in a range of colors
from white to dark blue.

S & J Nursery is not currently growing any agapanthus Campanula’s
selections.

Agapanthus Inapertus

Drooping Agapanthus

Despite its rather drab common name Agapanthus inapertus is the origins of some of the darkest of
purple agapanthus blossoms. Grown for their multitude of flowering stems and stunning deep blue coloring.
Agapanthus Inapertus tends to be very similar in height and flowering habit to agapanthus orientalis, but inapertus
has drooping blossoms that hang towards the ground rather than standing erect to face towars you or the sky on
their graceful stems. Agapanthus inapertus also has deciduous foliage that goes dormant each winter and regrows
rapidly the following spring and is flowering by summer.

S & J Tree farm and Nursery is not currently growing any agapanthus inapertus selections

Agapanthus Praecox spp. Orientalis

Although it doesnt hold true in our North Florida gardens, Agapanthus praecox orientalis is thought to be the most commonly planted of the agapanthus species, often mistakelnly sold as agapanthus africanus
or agapanthus umbellatus, the plants are very similar in appearance to agapanthus africanus but agapanthus praecox oreintalis is a bit larger with stems reaching 4-5 ft in height and mature clumps are said to be able to produce 100 flowering stalks on each plant during the summer months. Grown and bred for their profuse flowering habit, and
evergreen foliage.

Agapanthus Elaine

Agapanthus Elaine is thought by the breeder to be a cross of Agapanthus Africanus and Agapanthus praecox. It has deep dark purple blue flowers that catch your eya and hold your attention!

Agapanthus Ellamae

Agapanthus Ella mae is thought by the breeder to be a cross of  Agapanthus Africanus and Agapanthus praecox. It has tall stems and very dark purple blue blooms. One of my favorite Agapanthus in my own garden for many, many years now.

Agapanthus Getty White

My personal favorite white Agapanthus selection. ‘Getty White’ has huge blooms that show off its orientalis heritage with beautiful trumpets in an upright display rivaled by none.

Agapanthus Orientalis Storm Cloud

See above information for agapanthus africanus Storm Cloud.