The Genus Agapanthus

Description:

Agapanthus is a world-renowned group of mainly blue-flowered, rhizomatous plants endemic to South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini (Swaziland) and Mozambique. First cultivated in The Netherlands in the late 17th century, it rose to prominence in cultivation as a conservatory plant in England during the 18th and 19th centuries, and certain forms of the plant were later discovered to be perfectly hardy in mild parts of the British Isles.

The South African botanist Frances Leighton published the first formal classification of Agapanthus species in 1965. This new monograph provides a fully updated classification, complemented by exquisite watercolours by the South African botanical artist Elbe Joubert, as well as a wide range of colour photographs depicting the species in their spectacular and varied natural habitats. In addition, it includes a selection of 155 of the best Agapanthus cultivars to grow, developed by breeders from around the world, including those in the UK, The Netherlands, New Zealand and South Africa. Fascinating natural history details of its many and varied pollinators are explored, alongside comprehensive descriptions of each species, distribution maps, and every aspect of its successful cultivation, propagation and care.