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Let the `africanus' bloom

African Lily can be the one bright spot in your garden

LOVELY LILY The African Lily flowers throughout summer

Agapanthus Africanus belonging to the family Liliaceae is a vigorous perennial from Southern Africa. The name comes from the Greek agape - lova and anthos - flower. It has fleshy tubers from a short creeping root stock. It is of compact habit with long arching, strap shaped deep green leaves, up to 75 cm long and bears rounded intermediate 75 cm umbells carrying tubular, bell or trumpet shaped blue or white flowers.

Inflorescences are good for cutting and followed by decorative seed heads. It flowers throughout the summer. Grow them in a border or large containers in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. In containers, use loam-based compost. Water freely when in growth, sparingly in winter. Apply balanced liquid fertiliser monthly until flowering.

Propagation is by division of the tubers. They will flower in 2-3 months.

This August flowering African Lily is used in pot culture or massing in beds and are very effective on balconies. The plant does well in large posts. Needs plenty of water in the growing season and less in colder season. Cut the stem back to ground level after flowering.

CHITRA RADHAKRISHNAN

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