Drooping Agapanthus Agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus 'Graskop'
ABOUT
The Agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus 'Graskop', commonly known as the 'Graskop' Lily of the Nile, is a distinctive ornamental plant notable for its striking flowers and foliage. It typically displays a deep green, strappy, and arching foliage that forms a lush base for its remarkable floral display. The flowers emerge on long, sturdy, and arching stalks that gracefully lean over the foliage. These blooms are characterized by their pendulous nature, hanging like elegant bells or chandeliers from the stems. Each individual flower is tubular and curved, presenting hues that vary from a deep, almost inky blue-violet to a softer shade of blue. The blooms cluster in generous, globe-shaped umbels at the tips of their stalks, creating a mesmerizing and dramatic visual impact when they sway in the breeze. The lush flowering and rich coloration of the 'Graskop' Lily of the Nile make it an attractive and eye-catching addition to any garden setting.
About this plant
- Names
Family
Amaryllidaceae.
Synonyms
African Lily, Lily of the Nile, Love Flower, African Blue Lily.
Common names
Agapanthus pendulus, Agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus.
- Toxicity
To humans
African lily is generally not considered highly toxic to humans. However, it contains compounds that can cause unpleasant symptoms if ingested. These may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In some cases, skin contact with the sap can also cause irritation or dermatitis. It is advisable not to eat any part of the African lily plant.
To pets
African lily can be toxic to pets, such as dogs and cats, if ingested. The plant contains substances like saponins that can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and salivation. In severe cases, it can cause lethargy or even tremors. It is important to keep pets away from the African lily to prevent accidental ingestion.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Dark blue
Height
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Spread
1 feet (0.3 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds visual interest to gardens with its pendulous, bell-shaped flowers and lush foliage.
- Ease of Care: Known for being low maintenance, requiring minimal attention once established.
- Drought Tolerance: It's relatively drought tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping or gardens in drier climates.
- Attracts Wildlife: The flowers can attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, enhancing biodiversity.
- Long Blooming Period: Provides a lengthy display of flowers, often from spring to summer.
- Border and Container Planting: Suitable for borders and can be grown in containers for patio or balcony gardens.
- Tolerant of Various Soil Types: Adapts to different soil conditions, although it prefers well-drained soils.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Floral arrangements: The drooping flowers of 'Graskop' provide an exotic and dramatic flair to floral arrangements and can last for a long period when cut.
- Garden photography: The striking blooms and unique form of 'Graskop' make it a popular subject for gardening enthusiasts and photographers alike.
- Water garden accent: 'Graskop', with its love for moisture, can be planted near water features to accentuate the natural beauty of ponds and streams.
- Erosion control: Its strong root system can help stabilize slopes and areas prone to erosion, particularly in larger garden settings.
- Architectural interest: 'Graskop' can be used to create architectural interest in a garden due to their tall stems and pendulous blooms which can add height and structure.
- Landscape themes: Ideal for a 'blue garden' theme, its deep blue-violet flowers give a monochromatic look when used with other blue-flowering plants.
- Seasonal potted plant: Grown in containers, 'Graskop' can be moved to various spots in a garden or patio to enjoy its seasonal blooms up close.
- Garden borders: Planted in a row, 'Graskop' serves as a natural, living border that can define areas within a garden or along paths.
- Butterfly garden: The flowers of 'Graskop' attract butterflies, which makes it a suitable plant for a butterfly or insect-friendly garden.
- Educational resource: Horticulturalists and botany educators can use 'Graskop' as a living example to teach about plant biology, hybridization, and the diversity of the plant kingdom.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Lily of the Nile is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Lily of the Nile is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Love Letters: The genus name "Agapanthus" is derived from the Greek words 'agape' meaning love, and 'anthos' meaning flower, suggesting a symbolism of love.
- Beauty: The striking blooms and lush foliage of the plant are often associated with beauty and visual elegance.
- Endurance and Survival: Its ability to thrive with minimal care symbolizes resilience, and the capacity to endure and survive tough conditions.
- Peace and Tranquility: The cool blue tones of the flowers can represent serenity, calmness, and bringing peace to a space.
- Fertility and New Beginnings: In some cultures, the prolific blooming and lush nature of the plant can symbolize fertility, growth, and new starts.
- Water
Pendulous agapanthus requires thorough watering to establish deep roots, typically once a week, though frequency should increase during hot, dry spells. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, using approximately 1 to 2 gallons per plant, depending on size, ensuring moisture reaches the root zone. During the winter dormant period, reduce watering, allowing the soil to dry out more between waterings to prevent root rot.
- Light
Pendulous agapanthus thrives in full sun to partial shade. For the best growth and flower production, place it in a spot where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Although it can tolerate some light shade, too much shade can lead to fewer flowers and leggy growth.
- Temperature
Pendulous agapanthus prefers temperatures between 50°F and 80°F, which are ideal for optimal growth. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about 20°F but must be protected from frost. In regions with harsh winters, it is best grown in containers that can be moved indoors to avoid freezing conditions.
- Pruning
Prune pendulous agapanthus primarily to remove spent flower stalks and to tidy up any dead or damaged foliage. This encourages new growth and maintains plant health. Pruning is best done after flowering in late summer or early fall, and it may only be necessary once per year unless the plant becomes untidy.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Drooping Agapanthus prefers a well-draining soil mix consisting of loam, compost, and sand to provide the necessary nutrients and aeration. A soil pH slightly acidic to neutral, between 6.0 and 7.0, is ideal for optimal growth.
- Repotting
Drooping Agapanthus should be repotted every 2-3 years, or when the root system has outgrown the container, to ensure continued health and blooming.
- Humidity & Misting
Drooping Agapanthus thrives in moderate humidity levels around 40-60%, making it well suited to typical outdoor humidity conditions without requiring special attention.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place in bright light, away from drafts, minimal care.
Outdoor
Plant in sun to partial shade, protect from harsh winter.
Hardiness zone
8-10 USDA.
- Life cycle
The life of the Pendulous Agapanthus, commonly known as 'Graskop', begins with seed germination, where a seed will sprout and grow into a small seedling when provided with the right conditions of warmth and moisture. The seedling then develops into a vegetative stage, forming a clump of strap-shaped leaves and establishing a strong root system. During the flowering stage, typically in the summer, it produces tall flowering stalks bearing umbels of deep blue, pendulous flowers that attract insects for pollination. After pollination, the flowers develop into seed capsules, and when the capsules dry, they release seeds, completing the cycle of reproduction. In the absence of seed production, this perennial can also propagate vegetatively through division of its clump-forming base, allowing the plant to spread and maintain its presence in the garden. Throughout its life, the Pendulous Agapanthus undergoes periods of growth and dormancy, with the foliage dying back in the winter and regrowing in the spring to prepare for the next flowering season.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Early spring
The popular method of propagation for Agapanthus, commonly known as the African Lily, is by division. This is usually done in the spring or early fall. To propagate by division, carefully lift the clump from the ground using a spade, trying not to damage the roots. The clump should then be gently separated into smaller sections, ensuring that each new section has at least one or two growing points or shoots. These sections can then be replanted at the same depth they were previously growing, spaced approximately 18 inches (about 45 centimeters) apart to give them ample room to develop. Water the new divisions thoroughly after planting to help establish them. This method is efficient because it maintains the characteristics of the parent plant and allows the gardener to quickly increase the number of plants in their garden.