Agapanthus Orientalis 'Baby Pete'
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Baby Pete Agapanthus / Dwarf African Lily / Lily of the Nile
Botanical Name: Agapanthus orientalis 'Baby Pete'
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Origin: South Africa (garden cultivar)
Plant Type: Evergreen clump-forming perennial (strappy foliage)
Overview
A compact agapanthus with neat, evergreen, strappy tufts and soft blue flower umbels in summer, often with a light repeat into early autumn. Tough, sun-loving and low-maintenance, it’s ideal for edging, borders, mass planting and pots in SA’s temperate/Mediterranean climate. Many listings note very low seed set, helping reduce self-seeding.
Key Features
- Mature Size: 0.3–0.45 m H × 0.3–0.5 m W (foliage); flower stems to 0.4–0.6 m
- Growth Rate: 15-30 cm per year under good conditions
- Foliage: Evergreen, mid-green strappy leaves in a tight clump
- Flowers: Rounded umbels of soft blue florets in summer (light repeat into early autumn)
- Seasonal Interest: Evergreen bulk + summer bloom
- Wildlife Value: Nectar for bees and other pollinators
- Tolerance: Drought-tolerant once established, heat and wind tolerant, light–moderate frost, second-line coastal;
- Planting Density: Border/edging: 3–4 per metre (≈ 25–35 cm centres); Mass planting: 30–45 cm apart; Containers: 20–30 cm pots (size up as clumps fill)
- Pet Friendly: Caution — sap and plant parts can irritate skin and may be toxic if ingested (saponins). Keep pets/children from chewing; wear gloves when dividing
Where It Works Best
- Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (best bloom in sun)
- Soil: Well-drained loam or sandy loam; mulch to keep roots cool
- Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer (weekly in heatwaves); rarely in winter—only if dry
- Maintenance: Remove spent flower stems (reduces any self-seeding, keeps tidy); divide congested clumps in late winter/early spring; mulch in spring
- Lifespan: 15–25+ years (long-lived clumps, easy to renew by division)
- Climate Zones: Temperate & Mediterranean SA, incl. second-line coastal
- Soil pH: Neutral (adaptable: slightly acidic–slightly alkaline)
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Low borders/edging along paths and drives
- Mass plant for a soft blue summer band
- Containers for entries/patio
- Mix with grasses and grey foliage for contrast (not a privacy hedge)
Why You Will Love It
A true dwarf agapanthus: tidy, water-wise, and flowering through summer with minimal mess—perfect for neat borders and pots.