Agapanthus can be propagated by division with the minimum of care. Indeed - it is said that in Australia you can dig them up with a fork, run them over with a truck, plant them a week later, and they will flower all summer long – Fair dinkum!
One of my first experiences of growing these wonderful plants was when living and working as a gardener in Australia. The eastern suburbs of Sydney are ablaze with sky-blue flowers throughout the summer months. The tall flower stems with spherical flower heads tower over the long strapped shaped fleshy leaves. Used to fill borders and line driveways of the most desirable properties, Agapanthus makes a welcoming sight. Exposed to the hottest Australian afternoon sun they are versatile, tough and extremely forgiving. They soon became one of my favourite plants. With so many wonderful varieties of Agapanthus to grow, they are truly deserving of a place in any garden - the quintessential summer flowering perennial.
Growing Agapanthus in the UK
Here in the UK we are able to grow a huge selection of cultivars and, whilst not blessed with the Australian sunshine or baking hot summers, we are lucky enough to be able to cultivate and appreciate these handsome plants. Commonly called the Lily of the Nile or African Lily, there are now more varieties available than ever before. The name Agapanthus is derived from the Greek ‘agape’, meaning ‘love’ and ‘anthos’, meaning ‘flower’ - in layman’s terms ‘The Flower of Love’.
Currently classified as belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family of plants, the African Lily is best known and appreciated for the big rounded, showy umbels of flowers that come in shades of dark blue, purple, pure white and pink. Depending on the variety, stems range in size from 40cm tall to an impressive 1.5m tall to create stunning displays throughout July and August.
Agapanthus love the sunshine
Understanding the natural habitat of Agapanthus helps to give us an indication of the cultural requirements necessary to grow these gorgeous plants. Originating from the cliffs of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, Agapanthus grows naturally in-between the crevices of rocks and on stony ground. They flourish in soils that have good drainage, are resistant to strong winds, and enjoy the scorching hot sunshine. When relating this information back to growing Agapanthus in our gardens here in the UK – we choose fertile, well-drained soils and a sunny location – makes sense really!
Agapanthus is a summer flowering perennial with a fleshy, rhizomatous rootstock. They are both deciduous and evergreen; some have thick strap-like foliage and others have grass-like leaves. The deciduous types are fully hardy; the evergreen types are not fully hardy, so grow the evergreen types in pots or containers and move them to a sheltered location during the winter months for protection.
Ideal for growing in pots and containers
Growing Agapanthus in pots is a highly recommended way to appreciate these splendid plants. When potting, choose two parts John Innes No 2 or No 3 potting compost and combine with one part of coarse sand or horticultural grit. They are easy to grow but require good drainage and feeding on a monthly basis throughout the growing season with a feed that is high in potash. Remove pot-grown Agapanthus from their pots every other year and split them in two to increase flowering and vigour. It is a common misconception that Agapanthus enjoy having their roots restricted and therefore flourish when grown in pots. This is true to some extent; however, do not allow them to become pot bound.
A fantastic companion for the garden border
Agapanthus that are planted directly into garden borders often take longer to flower but when they do, the flowers are of a more spectacular nature. Protect in the winter months by placing deep mounds of bark over the root zone, lifting the leaves gently as you go, and cutting back the old and damaged foliage in the spring.
The African Lily is a superb summer and autumn flowering perennial that is a great companion for other summer flowering perennials or ornamental grasses. Some of my favourite planting combinations include Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’, Stipa tenuissima, Verbena bonariensis. Aster frikartii, Gaura lindheimeri, Echinacea purpurea, and Salvia nemorosa. Agapanthus also works wonderfully when planted en masse – planted in huge drifts they look amazing. Planted within a formal garden they create drama and impact. I love the way the deep blue flower forms come to life when the light starts to fade at the end of a summers evening – they simply glow.
Listed below are the Agapanthus that we usually have in stock. We quite regularly have more varieties presented from the nursery especially during the summer months. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are interested in finding out which exciting new cultivars we currently have in stock.
Agapanthus africanus Albus is a summer flowering herbaceous perennial with deep green strap shaped leaves and delicate white tubular flowers produced in showy ball-like clusters that tower above the foliage.
This exotic looking plant grows to a height of up to100cm tall and enjoys growing in moist but well-drained soil in a sunny position away from cold and drying winds. Ideal for planting in groups in hot and sunny borders, or if the soil is particularly heavy or waterlogged, grow in pots or containers. In exposed areas protect from the frost in the winter season. Agapanthus africanus Albus is a glamorous and flamboyant plant that flourishes in the sunniest of conditions…
Agapanthus campanulata var. albidus is a beautiful perennial most widely appreciated for the stunning globe-like flowers that are produced on tall upright stems. Ideal for planting in bold drifts in hot and sunny borders and also a fantastic choice for planting in pots and containers.
Non-evergreen perennial (herbaceous) with green leaves and white flowers in summer and autumn.
Aapanthus Peter Pan is a stunning perennial, the perfect choice for planting in hot and sunny borders as well as pots and containers. Combine with late summer-flowering perennials or ornamental grasses. One of our favorites.
Non-evergreen bulb/perennial-herbaceous with green leaves and blue flowers in summer and autumn.
Agapanthus Blue Storm produces masses of showy ball-like, vibrant, deep blue flowers throughout the summer months. One of the best free flowering Agapanthus available; a real show-stopper.
Agapanthus Blue Storm is a summer flowering herbaceous perennial with deep green strap-shaped leaves from which the long flower stems appear, reaching a height and width of approximately 80cm.
Grow in a sunny well-drained soil away from cold and drying winds. Ideal for planting grouped together in hot and sunny borders, or if the soil is particularly heavy or waterlogged, grow in pots and containers. In exposed areas protect from the frost in the winter season.
A beautiful plant that will always remind you of summer….
Agapanthus Snow Storm is a compact free-flowering Agapanthus that produces masses of showy ball-like, white flowers throughout the summer months.
Agapanthus Snow Storm is a summer flowering herbaceous perennial with deep green strap-shaped leaves from which the long flower stems appear, reaching a height of 70cm and a width of 45cm.
Grow in a sunny well-drained soil away from cold and drying winds. Ideal for planting grouped together in hot and sunny borders, or if the soil is particularly heavy or waterlogged, grow in pots and containers. In exposed areas protect from the frost in the winter season.
A stunning exotic looking plant that flourishes in the sunniest of conditions….
Agapanthus africanus blue is a summer flowering herbaceous perennial with deep green strap-shaped leaves and delicate pale-blue tubular flowers produced in showy ball-like clusters that tower above the foliage.
This exotic looking plant grows to a height of up to100cm tall and enjoys growing in moist but well-drained soil in a sunny position away from cold and drying winds. Ideal for planting in groups in hot and sunny borders, or if the soil is particularly heavy or waterlogged, grow in pots or containers. In exposed areas protect from the frost in the winter season.
Agapanthus africanus blue is a glamorous and flamboyant plant that flourishes in the sunniest of conditions…