Select Page

Lily of the Nile - agapanthus

© 2012 Patty Hankins

A few times over the years I’ve spotted some wonderful blue-purple Lily of the Nile in various gardens. They bloom in the late spring/early summer and add a spectacular splash of color to a garden.

Lily of the Nile - agapanthus africanus

© 2009 Patty Hankins

Lily of the Nile (agapanthus) are members of the Amaryllis family. All the varieties of agapanthus are native to South Africa. They can now be found worldwide. In some places, they are  invasive species, including in New Zealand where some agapanthus have been classified as an environmental weeds.

Lily of the Nile - agapanthus

© 2012 Patty Hankins

These beautiful summer blooming perennials can grow to 5-6 feet tall. The ones I’ve photographed were about 2 feet tall. They have a tall stalk with a globe of  blue or white flowers at the top.

Lily of the Nile - agapanthus

© 2012 Patty Hankins

The native South African varieties of Lily of the Nile are hardy in the US Zones 9 – 11. Some cultivars are hardy to zone 7.

Lily of the Nile - agapanthus africanus

© 2009 Patty Hankins

The two Lily of the Nile varieties I’ve photographed are Ellamae (photographed in 2009) and Blue Nile (photographed in 2012).

 

Lily of the Nile - agapanthus africanus © 2009 Patty Hankins

So far I’ve only seen and photographed the blue-purple Lily of the Nile. I’d love to photograph some white ones. Does anyone know any gardens in the DC area that have white Lily of the Nile growing in them?