African lily Agapanthus 'Midnight Star'
ABOUT
Agapanthus 'Midnight Star', often known as the African Lily, is a striking ornamental plant. This variety is noted for its lush, strap-like foliage, which presents a rich, green backdrop. The foliage is evergreen in nature, contributing to the plant's appeal throughout the year. What truly distinguishes 'Midnight Star' is its spectacular flower display, which comes into bloom during the summer months. The flowers of the African Lily 'Midnight Star' are borne on tall, upright stems that rise grandly above the foliage. Each flower head consists of a cluster of trumpet-shaped individual blooms, which together form a large, rounded umbel. The color of these flowers is particularly enchanting; they are a deep violet-blue hue that can appear almost black in certain lighting, giving the 'Midnight Star' its name. These captivating blooms not only provide a visual feast but are also magnets for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which adds dynamism to the garden. When not in bloom, the plant maintains a robust, clump-forming habit that neatly fills spaces within the garden borders. The elegant arching of the leaves adds to its overall aesthetic, making Agapanthus 'Midnight Star' a sought-after variety for gardeners seeking to inject a touch of drama and color into their outdoor spaces.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Amaryllidaceae.
Synonyms
African Lily, Lily of the Nile, Love Flower.
Common names
Agapanthus 'Midnight Star'.
ToxicityTo humans
Agapanthus, commonly referred to as Lily of the Nile, can be toxic to humans if ingested. All parts of the plant contain substances that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Skin contact with the sap may cause irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals. It is important to handle these plants with care and ensure they are not consumed by children or adults.
To pets
Lily of the Nile is also toxic to pets, including both dogs and cats. If ingested by an animal, the plant can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In more severe cases, it may lead to tremors or cardiac issues for the pet. Pet owners should keep these plants out of reach and seek veterinary care if ingestion is suspected.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Dark purple
Height
2 feet (60 cm)
Spread
2 feet (60 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Landscape Aesthetics: Adds striking dark blue to purple flowers and lush, strap-shaped foliage to gardens.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it requires minimal watering and is suited to drought-prone areas.
- Low Maintenance: Requires little upkeep beyond occasional deadheading and removal of spent foliage.
- Pest Resistance: Generally resistant to pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Attracts Pollinators: The blooms attract bees and butterflies, which are beneficial for pollination.
- Long Blooming Period: Flowers from early summer to fall, providing long-lasting visual interest in the landscape.
- Coastal Suitability: Tolerant of salty winds and soils, making it ideal for coastal gardens.
- Container Gardening: Can be grown in pots or containers, offering versatility in placement and design.
- Clumping Growth Habit: Forms neat clumps that can be easily divided to propagate new plants or control spread.
- Architectural Plant: The upright form and bold flowers can create focal points or accentuate garden architecture.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Artistic Inspiration: Artists and photographers may draw inspiration from Agapanthus 'Midnight Star''s deep blue to purple blooms for various forms of art, capturing its unique color and form.
- Educational Tool: Horticulture and botany teachers may use Agapanthus 'Midnight Star' to demonstrate plant growth habits, flower structures, and to discuss hybridization practices.
- Thematic Gardening: With its striking dark flowers, it can be used in 'moon gardens' or 'midnight gardens' where the focus is on plants that appear luminous or particularly striking in the evening light.
- Ink Production: Historically, some plant extracts have been used to make natural inks, and the deep blue color of Agapanthus 'Midnight Star' could potentially be used for this purpose.
- Floral Jewelry: Dried or fresh sections of the plant, such as individual flowers or buds, may be incorporated into homemade jewelry such as necklaces, earrings, or bracelets.
- Color Dye for Fabrics: The pigments from Agapanthus 'Midnight Star' could hypothetically be used to dye natural fabrics in shades of blue or purple.
- Culinary Decoration: While not widely recognized as edible, petals of Agapanthus 'Midnight Star' might be used decoratively to garnish plates or desserts in high-end culinary settings, but care must be taken as some parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.
- Photography Contests: Due to their striking appearance, the flowers can be used as a subject in photography contests, especially those specializing in botanical themes.
- Crafting Nature Prints: Leaves and flowers can be coated with paint or ink and pressed onto paper to create natural prints for crafting or educational purposes.
- Companion Planting: Agapanthus 'Midnight Star' can be planted alongside other landscape plants to create contrasting texture and color dimensions in garden design.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Lily of the Nile is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Lily of the Nile is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love Letters: The name Agapanthus comes from the Greek words 'agape' meaning love and 'anthos' meaning flower, symbolizing love and adoration, often linked to a message or letter of love.
- Enduring Love: The robust nature of the African Lily, as it is enduring and returns each year, often represents the idea of enduring or long-lasting love.
- Beauty: With its striking blue or purple flowers, the African Lily is commonly associated with beauty and elegance in the language of flowers.
- Fertility: In some cultures, the lush, full blooms of the Agapanthus are thought to symbolize fertility and the creation of new life.
- Freedom: The African Lily's ability to grow in a variety of conditions is sometimes linked with the concept of freedom and liberation.
- Protection: Agapanthus plants were traditionally thought to ward off evil spirits, so they have come to symbolize protection.
WaterTo properly water the Lily of the Nile, it should be done deeply and infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. During the growing season, water every 1-2 weeks, providing about 1-1.5 gallons per plant each time, depending on the weather. In winter, reduce watering to every 3-4 weeks or when the soil is dry to the touch, as the plant is dormant during this period.
LightLily of the Nile thrives in full sun to partial shade. The ideal site for this plant would be one that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. However, in very hot climates, some afternoon shade can prevent scorching of the leaves.
TemperatureThe Lily of the Nile fares best in temperatures ranging between 50°F to 90°F. It can tolerate a minimum temperature of about 20°F for short periods. The ideal temperature range for optimal growth is from 70°F to 80°F.
PruningPruning the Lily of the Nile helps to remove spent flower stalks and encourages new growth. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. It's ideal to cut the spent flower stalks down to the base of the plant. Dead or damaged leaves can be removed as they appear.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe African Lily 'Midnight Star' thrives in a well-draining soil mix with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0. A recipe for an ideal soil mix would be 60% loam, 30% perlite, and 10% well-rotted compost to ensure proper drainage and fertility.
RepottingThe African Lily 'Midnight Star' should be repotted every 2 to 3 years, or when it becomes root-bound. Choose a pot that is slightly larger than the current one to give the roots room to grow.
Humidity & MistingThe African Lily 'Midnight Star' prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable to different conditions as long as it is not too dry.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light and adequate water for indoor African Lily growth.
Outdoor
Plant in well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade for optimal growth.
Hardiness zone
8-11 USDA
Life cycleThe Agapanthus 'Midnight Star', commonly known as the African Lily, begins its life cycle when a seed germinates, usually in the spring, in soil that is well-draining and fertile. As the seedling grows, it develops into a young plant with strap-shaped leaves and establishes a root system that forms fleshy, tuberous rhizomes. Over the years, the African Lily matures and forms clumps with increasing numbers of evergreen leaves, leading up to the flowering stage that typically occurs in late spring or early summer. During this stage, tall flower stalks called scapes rise above the foliage, bearing rounded clusters of deep blue to purple trumpet-shaped flowers. After pollination, often aided by insects, the flowers produce capsule-like fruits that contain seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. Eventually, the plant enters a period of dormancy in late fall or winter, depending on the climate, conserving energy to begin the cycle anew the following growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The Agapanthus 'Midnight Star', more commonly known as the African Lily or Lily of the Nile, can be propagated in late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. The most popular and effective method of propagation is by division. This process involves gently lifting the plant from the soil and carefully separating the root mass into smaller sections with your hands or by using a sharp knife. Each section should have at least one or two growing points or 'fans' of leaves. After division, the separated clumps can be immediately replanted into well-draining soil, ensuring that the crown of the plant is just at or slightly above the soil surface. Water the newly planted divisions well to help establish them. It's important to keep the soil uniformly moist but not waterlogged.
