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A-Z of Plants and Flowers
Flower and Plant information, history and advice at your fingure tips.Find out more about plants and flowers...
Whether your looking to find out about the beautiful white Avalanche rose in one of our beautiful bouquets you've had delivered or you would like to find out how to look after and nurture a new plant, we hope you will find the answer in this section. If there is something you cannot find and think we should have listed, please drop us an email and let us know and in the mean time give us a call and talk to one of our florists.
 Agapanthus |
Common Name African lily Botanical Name Agapanthus(ag - a pan -thus) Behind the Name The name Agapanthus is derived from the Greek agapé love and anthos, flower. There is no clear reason for this derivation although it could be interpreted as 'lovely flower' or 'flower of love'. Agapeo means 'to be contented with' which is a possible derivation, i.e. 'flower with which I am well pleased'. The specific name praecox means early, premature, unseasonable or precocious in Latin, and was possibly given because compared to the other species it is an early flowerer; minimus means smallest, which it is; and orientalis of the east, which is most likely a case of mistaken origin. Quite often in those days, the ships carrying the new plant material back to Europe came from the East, via the Cape, and some of the botanists assumed that all the plants on board came from the East. Agapanthus has attracted a few common names over the years. In its first publication in Europe in 1679 it was called the African hyacinth. Linnaeus called it the African lily, and nowadays in Europe and America it is still known as the African lily, but also rather inappropriately as lily of the Nile. In South Africa they are commonly referred to as agapanthus. Description Agapanthus (African lily) are summer-flowering perennial plants, grown for their showy flowers, commonly in shades of blue and purple, but also white and pink. They thrive in any well-drained, sunny position in the garden, or grow these beauties in containers. Origin Orininally from South Africa, the Agapanthus was first cultivated in The Netherlands in 1687. Colour Blue or White. Availability The main seaon is the summer but some varietys are available in late December and early April. Care tips Cut stem with a sharp knife at 45 degree angle. Place in tepid water with flower food. Trivia The first Agapanthus bloomed in 1629 in the gardens of Hampton Court Palace. |