Agapanthus

Agapanthus

Agapanthus

Agapanthus

African Lily

  • Position: full sun
  • Soil: moist but well-drained soil
  • Flowering period: July to August
  • Height: 0,70-110cm
  • Foliage: evergreen and deciduous
  • Hardiness: needs protection in winter

Agapanthus is a fantastic summer-flowering perennial for adding vertical accents to the garden. It produces blue or white flowers held on tall, sturdy stems from July to August. If you buy an agapanthus plant, keep in mind there are deciduous varieties and evergreen varieties.

The deciduous types die back each year in late autumn. They can be grown in containers and in the ground. All sorts of agapanthus grow best in a warm, sunny position in moist but well-drained soil.

Agapanthus 'Sofie'
Flower buds of Agapanthus                  Agapanthus ‘Sophie’

Pruning

Pruning deciduous types

Pruning Agapanthus (African lily) deciduous types. The deciduous varieties die back each year in late autumn. So you don’t need to cut back the foliage. If necessary, tidy up any old foliage and dead flowering stems in November.

Pruning  evergreen types

Pruning Agapanthus (African lily) evergreen types. The evergreen varieties require no pruning. If necessary only remove yellow and dead leaves.

Feeding

Agapanthus that are grown in containers must be fed to promote good flowering development. Start feeding when new shoots emerge. Give them regularly a high-potash liquid feed during the growing season (April-May-June).

Feed again with a high-potash liquid feed in September when the plants have finished flowering.

Overwinter

Deciduous varieties

Agapanthus plants need protection during winter. Deciduous varieties grown in open ground. In areas prone to frost, cover the crown of the plant with a thick layer of dry winter mulch to protect from cold.

Deciduous varieties grown in containers. Store agapanthus in a pot in a frost-free place. Overwinter at temperatures of 2-8 degrees Celsius.

Evergreen varieties

Evergreen varieties. They are not hardy. Move the plant indoors once the temperatures have dropped around 5 degrees Celsius. Overwinter at temperatures of 2-8 degrees Celsius. Water sparingly during the winter months. In spring, when the plant starts to put on new growth, it needs more water.

Plant combination

Agapanthus looks fabulous on its own or combined with other plants such as Echinacea, Salvia nemorosa, Verbena bonariensis.

Salvia nemorosa
Salvia nemorosa

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