Agapanthus praecox sups. orientalis
Agapanthus means love flower, the name agapanthus is made
up of two Greek words agape love and anthos flower. The Zulu name for this
plant is ubani.
Photo taken of a bed of Agapanthus praecox in flower at
my home in Mount Moreland
Agapanthus belongs to the plant family Agapanthaceae
which consists of only one genus that is endemic to southern Africa, meaning
that Agapanthus occurs naturally nowhere else on Earth
This is one of the best known of our South African plants
abroad having been first introduced to and grown in Europe since about 1652.
Agapanthus praecox is easy to grow and will even grow in
poor soils provided it receives sufficient water in particular in summer. For
Agapanthus praecox to perform at its best, it however requires a rich soil with
plenty of compost and plenty of water year round in particular in spring and
summer. Agapanthus praecox do best in full sun.
Agapanthus praecox need to be lifted and divided every
three to four years to keep them healthy and vigorous this being done just
after they have finished flowering. They usually flower best in their first
season after having been divided. When replanting reduce the foliage by a third
to one half and reduce the roots by two-thirds. Replant immediately and water
thoroughly.
Agapanthus are mostly free of pests but can from time to
time be attached by the Agapanthus Borer Moth, Neuranethes spodopterodes
which is native to South Africa. The larvae bore into the budding inflorescence
and as they mature they tunnel down towards the leaves and rhizomes. The
Agapanthus borer is often mistakenly referred to as Amaryllis borer Brithys
crini pancratii which they are most certainly not. A severe attack can promote
rot and may kill the plant.
The introduced exotic European garden snail can at times
also do considerable damage if not controlled.
Agapanthus praecox with its neat growth habit and
spectacular flowers is an asset and a must for every proudly South African
garden and amenity horticultural landscape in the regions where they grow best.
For much of the year the Agapanthus plant does not
attracts large numbers of insects or other creatures but when it comes to
flowering time they attracts large numbers of bees in particular honey bees to
the spectacular blue flowers. And along with the bees creatures that feed on
bees such as crab spiders that wait in a flower to catch the fist unsuspecting
bee that lands to take nectar and pollen as can bee seen in the photo below.
No proudly South African garden or landscape should be
without these most spectacular gems of our South African floral kingdom.
In addition to being spectacular garden plants Agapanthus
praecox have many uses in traditional medicine and magic as well as being used
as love charms.
