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Agapanthus praecox ssp. orientalis 'Silver Streak' (Silver Streak Lily of the Nile) – A vigorous hardy evergreen perennial that grows in a clump to 18 to 24 inches tall by about 3 feet wide with with undulating variegated leaves that are over 1 inch wide and 24 to 30 inch long having strong cream-colored margins and narrower cream striations on the green center of the leaf. In early to mid-summer appear the medium-sized blue flowers in clusters called a pseudo-umbel on top 3-4-foot-tall stalks called scapes. The flowers on this variety rarely sets seed, leaving clean looking decorative starbursts of bare peduncles on top of the scapes.
Plant in full coastal sun to light shade and irrigate regularly to occasionally - will withstand drier conditions but look considerably better with moderate watering. Hardy to 20-25 degrees F and should prove root hardy to much lower temperatures - we have been told by Tony Avent that it has overwintered when mulched at his Juniper Level Garden in Raleigh NC (USDA zone 7b). This plant with exceptionally broad leaves makes a colorful and bold statement in the garden.
The name for the genus comes from the Greek words 'agape' meaning "love" and 'anthos' meaning "flower". Agapanthus praecox ssp. orientalis 'Silver Streak' was selected as a chance seedling at our nursery in 1994 from our seed grown Agapanthus praecox ssp. orientalis crop. We built up stock for 5 years before naming it 'Silver Streak' and then introduced it in 1999.
A similar plant later discovered growing at F.K Nursery in Los Angeles in the late 1990s was given to Monrovia Nursery, who introduced it in 2012 with the cultivar name 'MonKageyama' and using one of their trademarked marketing names. Some have commented that it appears quite similar to our Silver Streak. 'MonKageyama' is indeed a very nice plant with broad leaves and cream margins but differs in that it does not have the undulating leaves that are characteristic of 'Silver Streak'.
The information about Agapanthus praecox ssp orientalis 'Silver Streak' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
