Agapanthus Queen Anne Lily of the Nile

Agapanthus Queen Anne is a semi-dwarf evergreen perennial with strappy leaves and long-lasting purple-blue flowers throughout the summer. It’s low growing enough for the front of the border or ground cover and suits well-watered plant containers in coastal areas.

Agapanthus are native to South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope and naturally resistant to coastal sprays and windy conditions. They are sometimes called Lily of the Nile or African Lily, but despite their name are a type of Amaryllidaceae. 

There are many Agapanthus varieties. Queen Anne is prized for its semi-dwarf height and tall flower spikes topped with a multitude of trumpet-shaped blue-purple blooms that are adored by pollinators especially large bumblebees that can easily access its large flower heads.

The plant forms an evergreen low-growing mound that sprouts new long leaves in spring which mature over summer to match the established dark green foliage

Agapanthus are one of the few plants that really thrive in a container as the roots like restricted root space.

This is an easy grow beautifully flowering perennial with summer-long flowers that come back better each year.

Height And Spread of Agapanthus Queen Anne
Agapanthus Queen Anne is a semi-dwarf perennial reaching between dwarf Peter Pan and the larger Africanus Albus. It reaches a maximum height and spread of 50 cms over 2-5 years.

How Hardy Is Agapanthus Queen Anne
This evergreen perennial is hardy in minus temperatures if its roots are well-drained and it gets plenty of sun in the warmer months.

How To Use Agapanthus Queen Anne
Agapanthus are an excellent choice for coastal gardens because they are natively coastal plants. They suit a whole variety of garden styles from urban courtyards to a country cottage, Japanese themes and low maintenance wildlife spaces.

They enjoy a sunny spot at the front of the border where their long strappy leaves fall to cover edging, and they excel in containers. Lily of the Nile Queen Anne is an excellent choice for a container balcony garden or a sunny deck.

How To Care For Agapanthus Queen Anne
Agapanthus tolerates the majority of soil types including sand and chalk and enjoys full sun to partial shade. Full sun will encourage more flowers and a stronger plant.

Pruning isn’t required but you can remove spent leaves in late autumn. The seed heads can be left throughout the winter for architectural interest and wildlife cover.

Water it well until established and be sure to water and feed container-grown Queen Anne regularly in the summer and raise the container on drainage feet to ensure the roots don’t rot.

A thick layer of mulch around the crown over winter will provide nutrients for the growing season and help protect its crown from frosts and rain.