Success with Agapanthus

Exotic and beautiful, Agapanthus are show-stoppers of the garden and attract attention with their globe-like coloured flowers on tall stems from July to early autumn. Take a look at the growing advice from specilist growers Hoyland Plant Centre

These dramatic flowers hail from South Africa and worship the sun. Treat them to the conditions they love and they’ll reward you with showy blooms for years to come. Agapanthus look great planted in drifts in borders. They also look stately when planted in containers since the large flowerheads provide an attractive focal point.

Creating the conditions to thrive

Agapanthus thrive in sunny spots and free-draining soil where they won’t be overshadowed by taller plants. As long as they have direct sunlight for some portion of day, these magnificent flowers will do well.

Agapanthus can even grow in deeper shade in north-facing borders though foliage and flowers may lean towards the light. Heavy soils will need additional material digging in to improve its quality. You can improve the drainage of your garden soil by adding compost, grit or perlite. If you choose to grow agapanthus in pots, use a mix of two parts multipurpose compost to one part fine grit or perlite.

Once established, they need little attention but appreciate being fed in the growing season with a high-potash fertiliser or specialised agapanthus food for the best flowers. Though they are drought tolerant, they still benefit from lots of water during the growing season if they’re to thrive. Water once or twice per week, particularly in dry periods.

Pot Agapanthus on every two to three years to avoid congestion. Divide every five to six years.

Winter care

Most evergreen agapanthus are frost hardy to -5°C. In cold areas, they’re best grown in pots so they can be wrapped in fleece or moved to a cold greenhouse. Most deciduous agapanthus are hardy to -10°C and can be grown in a border and mulched with chip bark in a particularly cold winter.

Hoyland Plant Centre

www.somethingforthegarden.co.uk | 01226 744466

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Agapanthus

Everything you need to know about Agapanthus

These dramatic sun-loving border plants produce large spherical flowerheads, usually in beautiful shades of blue, from midsummer onwards. These sway on tall stems above clumps of strappy foliage. Some types, especially the evergreens, may not be fully hardy, so are best grown in containers that can be protected from frost over winter

Everything you need to know about Agapanthus

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