AGAPANTHUS, or the African Lily, is a delightful architectural plant that brings summer joy with its intensely blousy bright blue flowers and thrives in any sunny position in beds or pots.

As its common name indicates, the natural home of the agapanthus is South Africa but it also occurs as a showy weed in Australia and New Zealand. The botanical name derives from two Greek words, “agape” and “anthos” meaning love and flower.

Richard Fulcher, from Pine Cottage Nursery, Eggesford, thrilled members of Morchard Bishop Gardening Club with his expert knowledge gleaned from his RHS training and his expeditions in the field in South Africa.

His explorations mirrored those of 17th century Dutch explorers who introduced Agapanthus to Europe during that century.

It was first classified as part of the hyacinth family before Linnaeus renamed it “crinum africanum” in his bi-nominal system. This is how the agapanthus derived its common name, crinum meaning lily.

In the 20th century, Frances Leighton, daughter of a Kew botanist, travelled extensively around South Africa surveying the land for examples of agapanthus.

Her research culminated in a monograph which identified 10 species and 10 sub species. Graham Duncan, of the National Botanical Institute, Cape Town, later revised this down to six species in his influential guide published in 1998.

Agapanthus plants are tolerant of acid and alkaline soils and will adorn borders or containers with their architectural glory. They are easy to propagate by division.

Simply divide the woody rhizomes (which resemble spaghetti) between spring and early summer and ensure that there are a couple of growing points in each division.

When growing the plants there is one point to remember - It is a myth that agapanthus like to be compacted in a pot.

If you would like to see splendid examples of this wonderful plant in full bloom, please visit Pine Cottage Plants in Eggesford from August 1 to 20 where you will have the chance to see the National Collection of Agapanthus.

Karin Moffett