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Nile Lily Wikimedia Commons
Amaryllidaceae

Nile Lily

Agapanthus africanus

Love letters and deep affection.

Family
Amaryllidaceae
Genus
Agapanthus
Native to
South Africa
Bloom season
Summer
Type
herbaceous perennial
Height
2-3 ft
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
well-drained, fertile
Water
moderate
Hardiness
8-11
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • The genus name comes from Greek 'agape' (love) and 'anthos' (flower), meaning 'flower of love.'
  • Despite the common name, it is native to South Africa, not the Nile River region.
  • In South Africa it is called 'bloulelie' (blue lily) and is traditionally planted near homes for protection.
  • A single flower head can contain 20 to 100 individual trumpet-shaped florets.
  • It was first introduced to European gardens in the late 1600s by Dutch traders returning from the Cape.

Color meanings

0

love

1

beauty

2

fertility

Uses

  • ornamental borders
  • container gardening
  • cut flowers
  • slope stabilization