African Lily

African Lily (Agapanthus) - Beautiful plants from S. Africa, with blue or white flowers in umbels on stems 18 inches to 4 feet high. A. umbellatus, the old kind, is hardy in some mild seashore districts, and a fine plant in rich warm soil, but better for the protection of leaves round the root in winter. It is worth growing for the flower garden and vases in summer, but should be protected in winter by storing under stages, in sheds or cellars. It likes plenty of water during out-of-door growth, and is easily increased by division. Of the best-known kind, A. umbellatus, there are several varieties; major and maximus are both larger than the type, and of maximus there is a white-flowered variety. There is a smaller one with white flowers, one with double flowers, and variegated-leaved kinds. A. Saundersonianus is a distinct variety, with deeper-colored flowers than the type.

The largest is A. umbellatus giganteus, with high flower-spikes 3 to 4 feet, with umbels bearing from 150 to 200 flowers. The color is a gentian blue; the buds of a deeper hue. Pallidus is a pale porcelain blue, a short-leaved variety. A. u. minor is a dwarf variety. Of A. umbellatus there is a double-flowered variety, a distinct plant. There is, moreover, A. u. atrocoeruleus, a dark violet variety. A. u. maximus has flower-stalks 4 feet long, and full heads of flowers, one set opening while a second is rising to fill up the truss as the first crop fades. A. Mooreanus is hardy, from 12 inches to 18 inches high, has narrow leaves, and comes true from seed. Although the African Lily exists in the south in certain spots, in a large part of our islands it is not hardy, and therefore requires to winter in the greenhouse. When out of doors it used to be much grown in tubs, but this I found to be laborious and unprofitable, in view of the many hardy things we had, and so gave it up.

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