My mother is visiting from Missouri this week and has been amazed at all the beautiful bunches of Agapanthus that are blooming all over town.

They are very rare back in the Midwest, as they are typically grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 9-11. Most of Missouri is in zone 6.

The Agapanthus is a beautiful flower and very distinctive. I always love this time of the year when they are blooming.

Agapanthus africanus

The two most common species found in the US are Agapanthus praecox and Agapanthus africanus.  Agapanthus praecox is also known as the Common Agapanthus, Lily of the Nile or African Lily. There are also variations that are White instead of Blue. The picture below shows a combination of both.

Agapanthus praecox

Lily of the Nile is a misnomer as it is not a lily and although the flower originates in Africa, it is not from the Nile region. The Agapanthus is native to the Cape of Good Hope and the Limpopo River in South Africa. I have been to the Cape of Good Hope, but unfortunately it was the wrong time of year to see them bloom in their native habitat.

Agapanthus praecox

My Mother plans on painting them and was talking about the techniques that she would use. I am sure that she will make some good paintings of this beautiful flower.

Steven

Disclaimer: I may not be precise on my species identification. If so, please gently correct me :-).