Agapanthus africanus
Agapanthus lily
Common names: African lily
Photo: Nick Helme · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The Agapanthus lily displays spherical, blue‑violet or white flower spikes on tall stems, adding a Mediterranean flair to terraces and balconies. It forms dense clumps of strap‑shaped leaves and becomes a striking focal point in midsummer. Note that many plants sold as Agapanthus africanus are actually more robust cultivars or hybrids of Agapanthus praecox or Agapanthus campanulatus; the true wild species is rare and difficult to find in commerce.
Care instructions
Place the plant in a full‑sun, sheltered spot, more sun yields fuller blooms. Water regularly and abundantly in summer, but never allow the soil to stay permanently wet. From October, bring it indoors to a frost‑free area (0 to 8 °C) and water sparingly until spring. Every few years, divide the clumps during spring repotting; wear gloves, as the sap can irritate skin.
Soil & site
Companion planting
Good neighbors
carrot family (Apiaceae)
Umbellifers and alliums confuse each other's pests (carrot fly, onion fly).
For example Carrotcelery rootDillParsleyCarrot fennelCoriander and 19 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
rose family (Rosaceae)
You can plant garlic and chives under strawberries and roses; their scent repels aphids and other pests.
For example StrawberryAppleRaspberryClimbing rosePearAronia and 53 more species in the catalogue
Source: Bio-Gärtnerei Mixed Culture Practice
Rather not
legume family (Fabaceae)
particularly well establishedAllium species inhibit the nitrogen‑fixing rhizobia of legumes through their root exudates, which slows their growth.
For example PeaBush beanPole beanBroad beanMarker peaSugar pea and 31 more species in the catalogue
Source: basic crop‑rotation rule
nightshade family (Solanaceae)
Onions slow down the growth of nightshade family plants next to potatoes and tomatoes; the classic crop-rotation rule also applies in the bed side by side.
For example PotatoTomatoSweet pepperCocktail tomatoEggplantCape gooseberry and 9 more species in the catalogue
Source: basic crop-rotation rule
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
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