Agapanthus Praecox Getty White African Lily

Agapanthus Praecox Getty White is a semi-evergreen perennial with large white flowers on tall stems that are held above strappy foliage. It’s an excellent coastal plant and superb in a well-watered plant container.

Agapanthus are native to South Africa hence their more common name African Lily. There are many different varieties of white, blue and striped agapanthus including dwarf varieties, but African Lily Getty White is loved for its large showy white flowers held high above its strap-like leaves.

Its flowers bloom from May to August emerging from a clump of mounded green leaves. Each rounded flowerhead is made up of many small trumpet-shaped flowers that are adored by large bumblebees. In autumn the flowerheads dry to a skeletal framework bringing interesting structure to a dull garden.

In warmer parts of the UK its foliage may remain year-round but colder areas will find the foliage dies back to ground level before emerging again in mid-spring.

This is an eye-catching low-growing perennial with show stopper flowers and one of the few plants that enjoy a container because it prefers restricted root space.

Height And Spread of Agapanthus Praecox Getty White
This agapanthus reaches approximately 50 cms to a metre in height and spread in 2-5 years.

How Hardy Is Agapanthus Praecox Getty White
Agapanthus are hardy down to minus temperatures in most of the UK. In colder areas, a thick layer of mulch on the crown will help protect it from freezing wet conditions.

How To Use Agapanthus Praecox Getty White
African Lily Getty White creates a stunning display in a mixed sunny border where its white and green shades don’t clash with summer flowering plants. It’s an excellent choice for a well-watered container and will happily grow in a sunny spot such as a front doorstep, a balcony, deck, or patio.

It’s a good coastal plant being native to the coastal areas of South Africa, and able to cope with breeze and salt sprays. Bumbles and other pollinators love its wide-open trumpet flowers so it suits a low maintenance wildlife-friendly space too.

Agapanthus is a versatile sun-loving perennial that suits the majority of garden styles.

How To Care For Agapanthus Praecox Getty White
This pure white agapanthus will thrive in a sunny spot in well-drained soil including sand and chalk. It can cope with some exposure in southern areas of the UK in a south or west facing position to catch the sunlight.
Agapanthus flowers best with restricted roots. If yours struggles to flower in a border, try replanting it in a buried container.
Pruning isn’t required because its leaves die back over winter, but you can remove the spent flower heads as they go over or leave them for autumn interest. Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the roots in spring and cover the crown with mulch or bracken in cold areas during winter.
Ensure container-grown agapanthus are well watered and fed in the hot months or they will struggle to flower.