Agapanthus adds the perfect splashing of puritanical to the landscape during summer and fall .
Agapanthus plants are blooming machines that you’re able to think of as the tropic equivalent weight of the day lily . A landscape staple in quick - winter region , agapanthus is alow - maintenance perennialthat produces colorful cluster of blue or white cornet - shaped flowers in summer and fall .
Agapanthus has strappy green leaves that add grain to beds , borders , and containers . Many varieties have foliage that is small and grasslike . Other varieties have enceinte , straplike foliage ( much like daylily ) . Several varieties of agapanthus are available with green variegate leaf with a emollient or white stripe down the border .
Credit: Karlis Grants
Agapanthus blossoms seem in clustering at the tips of blooming stems . As they emerge from the foliage , the blooms are held within a tight green bract to protect them from harm . As they mature , the bracts pull back to reveal little drear buds . These bud open up in succession , starting at the bottom and turn their elbow room up .
The fool of the plant life is toxic to people . Agapanthus may be toxic to cad and qat . Don’t place the plants where children and darling play .
Where to Plant Agapanthus
Agapanthus is cold - dauntless inUSDA zone 8 - 11 , and some variety are hardy in zone 7 . Choose a location that obtain full sunshine unless the climate is very hot ; in that case , some subtlety is beneficial . The ground needs to be dampish , plentiful , and well - draining . Agapanthus does well in garden beds and borders or in container . It can handle salty winds , which makes it a particularly respectable choice for coastal gardens .
How and When to Plant Agapanthus
Plant marginal - tooth root agapanthus in the later nightfall in warm mood or in the spring after the last icing in coolheaded climates . In the garden , set the rootstock 12 to 24 inch deep inmoist , well - drain dirt . The beginning crown should be face up and position at soil grade .
If you have a nursery plant :
space guidelines for multiple plants will depend on the variety you ’ve take . confab the tag end that comes with your works to ensure right placement .
Credit: Karlis Grants
Agapanthus can also begrown in containersfilled with pot soil .
Agapanthus Care Tips
Light
Agapanthus plantsgrow best in full sunand involve six to eight hour of sun a day for the good efflorescence production . However , in extremely live climates , they benefit from partial shade .
Soil and Water
Choose a fix with rich soil that drains well . Agapanthus plants appreciate regular watering and do n’t wish to dry out for long . Be consistent with watering to prevent stress from hindering future blooms , specially just after the works complete a flush cycle .
Temperature and Humidity
Many agapanthus species are evergreenin tropic mood . The non - evergreen type call for a little more security and warmth during the nerveless time of year . As capitulation arrives , initiate their dormancy by withholding some water . Move the more untoughened evergreen plant varieties into a frost - free environment , like a greenhouseor near a bright window in a home . Hardier plants can be left out and sparsely watered until spring . Agapanthus can wield high humidness but does not necessitate it .
Fertilizer
Since agapanthus plants are frequent blunder , it ’s a undecomposed idea to fecundate them twice a year — in other outflow and again two months later . Give them a balanced grainy fertilizer such as 10 - 10 - 10 or oneslightly higher in Lucifer than nitrogento keep the blooms go all season long . For the amount to use , follow production recording label guidance . Be sure to water it in well .
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves any time of year , but leave behind all the others on the plant so it can store the energy it need for the following year . For agapanthus grown in the ground , cut back the foliage to about 4 inches in late fall when blooming is over . The plant will go inactive for the wintertime . Mulch the crown of the industrial plant to protect it .
During the bloom season , remove faded blossomsfrom the prow to encourage unexampled outgrowth and prevent the plant from wasting energy on come production .
Potting and Repotting Agapanthus
A in effect tip for proper precaution of pot agapanthus is todivide the plants on a regular basis . In ecumenical , agapanthus flora do n’t beware being snugly planted in a stool . However , they apprize being part every few years to encourage new ontogeny and increase blush .
For one flora , set out with a 12 - inch pot with drainage holes and satisfy with moist potting soil amalgamate with a bit of sand . localize the plant in the container at the same level as the glasshouse great deal and firm around it with the potting mixing . Allow the plant to acclimate in a protected smirch before proceed it to a gay locating . check that the works take in at least a half an inch of weewee per workweek once established in the container .
Repot your lily of the Nile every two years or so into a container about 4 inches wider and fill with smart potting mix .
Credit: Bill Stites
Pests and Problems
wanderer mites , mealy bug , and thrips are attracted to agapanthus plants . Wash them off with a solid nebuliser of pee or regale them with insecticidal goop orneem oil .
Root guff can become a job if the plant sits in soggy soil . It can be prevent by constitute in well - debilitate territory , but it ca n’t be treated . Remove the affected plant from the garden and dispose of it .
How to Propagate Agapanthus
Agapanthus grow and propagate by fleshy rhizomes that act as store source . The plant continue nutrients in its solution and may be divided to make more plants . Use asharp shovelto dig up an established industrial plant and separate it into several sections , each with etymon and foliage . Plant the sections back in the garden in well - drain soil or in containers of pot grime to give away .
If you do n’t have a ripe agapanthus plant life , you may plant seeds , but the resulting works take two or three geezerhood to bloom . you’re able to also buy seeds or harvest source pod from an existing plant life , keeping in mind that if the works is a hybrid , the plants from harvested seeds wo n’t be a match to the parent flora .
Germination takes about a calendar month .
Credit: Chipper R. Hatter
Types of Agapanthus
The most common andpopular efflorescence colorof agapanthus is blue ( they fall in several shades , with most being light or medium blue with streaks of deep blue down the petals ) . Agapanthus can also be found in white ; a few sort have ashen and blue in the same bloom .
Agapanthus Africanus
Agapanthus africanusis a common eccentric with puritanic blossom that flower in late summertime and early drop . It grows 3 feet tall and 2 feet panoptic . Zones 9 - 10
‘Headbourne Hybrids’ Agapanthus
Agapanthus’Headbourne Hybrids ' is a popular strain that bears flowers in shades of violet - bluish . The plants grow 4 feet tall . Zones 7 - 10
‘Peter Pan’ Agapanthus
Agapanthus’Peter Pan ' is a dwarf selection that offers light blue flowers throughout the summertime . It uprise 1 foot tall and wide . Zones 8 - 11
‘Snow Storm’ Agapanthus
Agapanthus’Snow Storm ' is a tight - growing , floriferous selection that produces clusters of virtuous - white flowersin late spring and summertime . It grows 30 inches magniloquent and wide . zone 8 - 10
Agapanthus Companion Plants
Society Garlic
lodge garlic leaves look like cive , and if you walk by a planting of this South African aboriginal light bulb and brush the foliage , you’ll get a puff of garlic . The beautiful clusters of lavender - pink peak have a sweet scent , similar to hyacinth essence . They open up up on tall stems from early summertime until previous descent . Noted for its drought tolerance , society Allium sativum has become a raw material in Southern California landscapes .
Kangaroo Paw
Make a bold instruction in your gardenwith kangaroo paw . This strange perennial come from Australia and bears strappy unripe leaves and erect spikes of hazy blossom in radioactively brilliant colors . The blooms last a long time and make great cutting heyday .
Bird of Paradise
Add tropic dash to your garden or home withstunning hiss of heaven peak . Named for their resemblance to a flamboyant tropic skirt , the long - lasting bloom of youth appear in shades of orange and white . Outdoors , they are a best-loved in tropic landscapes because the plants are practically carefree — just give them a cheery spot with well - run out soil , and you ’ll be honour with the singular blooms . Indoors , they necessitate a bright spot to produce flowers . Many gardeners take bird of paradise outside for the summer so the plants can soak up the sun .
separate the plant or move to a larger pot every two to three years if you get them in a container to prevent them from becoming radical - ricochet .
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes , the blooms of agapanthus draw in all types of pollinators , including bee , bumblebees , butterfly stroke , and hummingbirds .
The plant is deer - resistant , although a cervid will consume the plant if no other nutrient is uncommitted . Agapanthus is also rabbit - insubordinate . The efflorescence are usually too far from the ground to attract squirrels . In universal , it is unpopular with wildlife .
In Greek , the tidings " agapē " imply love , and the discussion " anthos " means flower . Agapanthus means both " flower of love " and " lovely flower . " It ’s also known as Peter Pan Lily and Lily of the Nile .
Credit: Blaine Moats
This plant has the potential to last a prospicient time . If it is like for by rights and repotted every few years , then it can live up to 75 year .
Yes , these flora are stale - hardy , so they can hold light , short frosts . The top of the plant might die back , but the roots will remain firm and will re - sprout in leaping .
Agapanthus . North Carolina State Extension .
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Guide to venomous Plants . Lily of the Nile , Agapanthus Lily , African Blue Lily . College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences , Colorado State University .
Credit: Ed Gohlich
Credit: Ed Gohlich
