Overview
Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis is a clump-forming, upright perennial in the genus Agapanthus, part of the Amaryllidaceae family, with evergreen or deciduous; strap-shaped, arching, fresh green foliage. Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis grows best in full sun, and tolerates fertile loam or sandy soil; excellent in containers soils and neutral to slightly acid pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H3–H5; deciduous kinds are hardier than evergreen. It is native to South Africa.
About
Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis is a clump-forming, upright perennial with strap-shaped, arching leaves and summer flower heads. It originates from South Africa and flowers in the UK from July to September. Plant it in full sun in fertile loam or sandy soil that is neutral to slightly acid, keeping the soil moist while growing and drier over winter; it also performs well in containers. Handle with care: all parts are harmful if eaten and wear gloves when handling.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Agapanthus praecox
About the genus
Agapanthus is a genus of plants, the only one in the subfamily Agapanthoideae of the family Amaryllidaceae. The subfamily was formerly treated as a separate family, Agapanthaceae. The family is in the monocot order Asparagales.
Wikipedia contributors, "Agapanthus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Agapanthus
In the garden
Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis is a clump-forming perennial from South Africa that produces its display in the UK between July and September. The plant carries strap-shaped, arching leaves and upright flower-bearing stems, making it a summer-flowering feature where conditions suit. Give it a sunny, south- or west-facing, sheltered position and a fertile loam or sandy soil with a neutral to slightly acid pH. Keep the soil reliably moist during active growth but allow it to dry back over winter; this seasonal drying helps prevent rotting when the plant is less active. It is excellent in containers where drainage can be controlled and soil renewed more easily. Hardiness is rated H3–H5, which translates to a range from borderline to reliably hardy in milder UK gardens; deciduous types tolerate lower temperatures than evergreen forms. The USDA hardiness range is 7–11. Use Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis in sunny borders or on patios in containers where its summer blooms will be most visible. Be aware that the plant is harmful if eaten—wear gloves when handling and consult the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further pet-safety information. Choose a deciduous form where winter cold is a concern, as deciduous kinds are hardier than evergreen.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Agapanthus
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Fertile loam or sandy soil; excellent in containers
- Soil pH
- Neutral to slightly acid
- Soil moisture
- Moist while in growth, drier over winter
- Aspect
- South or west facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3–H5; deciduous kinds are hardier than evergreen
Plant details
Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Habit
- Clump-forming, upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen or deciduous; strap-shaped, arching, fresh green
- Native to
- South Africa
- Toxicity
- Humans/Pets (dogs, cats): harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis
- Cultivation
- Grow in well-drained soil in full sun; shade markedly reduces flowering. Water regularly through the first growing season, after which little is needed, though a soaking in late summer during a dry year improves the following season's display. Where the soil is prone to waterlogging or the garden is cold, grow in containers of loam-based compost and give them winter protection.
- Pruning
- Deadhead at the base of the stem once the flowers fade, or leave the seedheads standing for early winter interest. Remove the flowered stems and yellowed leaves of deciduous kinds in autumn as they die back; tatty leaves on evergreens can be taken off at any time.
- Propagation
- Divide congested clumps in spring, accepting a season of reduced flowering afterwards. Seed is easy but slow, taking three years or more, and cultivars will not come true.
- Pest resistance
- Little troubled outdoors. Agapanthus gall midge distorts the buds where it is present, and slugs graze new shoots.
- Disease resistance
- Robust; rots only where drainage is poor or winter wet persistent.
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis?
Grow in well-drained soil in full sun; shade markedly reduces flowering. Water regularly through the first growing season, after which little is needed, though a soaking in late summer during a dry year improves the following season's display. Where the soil is prone to waterlogging or the garden is cold, grow in containers of loam-based compost and give them winter protection.
Where is the best place to plant Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis?
Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis need?
Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis grows best in fertile loam or sandy soil; excellent in containers soil. It prefers neutral to slightly acid soil. Aim for soil that stays moist while in growth to drier over winter.
How do I prune Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis?
Deadhead at the base of the stem once the flowers fade, or leave the seedheads standing for early winter interest. Remove the flowered stems and yellowed leaves of deciduous kinds in autumn as they die back; tatty leaves on evergreens can be taken off at any time.
Is Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis hardy in the UK?
Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis has an RHS hardiness rating of H3, meaning it is half-hardy, tolerating -5 to 1°C, and may need winter protection in colder areas.
How do I propagate Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis?
Divide congested clumps in spring, accepting a season of reduced flowering afterwards. Seed is easy but slow, taking three years or more, and cultivars will not come true.
Is Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis toxic?
Humans/Pets (dogs, cats): harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants.
More in the Agapanthus genus
- Agapanthus 'Maureen'African Lily
- Agapanthus 'Black Buddhist'African Lily
- Agapanthus 'Northern Star'Lily of the Nile
- Agapanthus nutansAfrican Lily