Agapanthus

Agapanthuses, also known as the African Lily, are herbaceous perennials; they have no woody stem, & they live for longer than 2 years. They grow in clumps with each other, and mostly bloom from June to October, with funnel-shaped blue or white flowers at the top of their stems.

 

Agapanthus leaves are leathery to the touch and grown in two opposite rows. The curved, narrow leaves are attached at the base and get to about 60 cm long. They can be evergreen in some species. Most of the plant’s stem is underground (called a rhizome) and the roots that grow out of it are white, fleshy and thick. Agapanthuses are hardy – they are not often attacked or affected by garden pests. Despite this you may still want to look out for slugs, snails and agapanthus gall midge. To get the most out of your Agapanthus, you need to apply a balanced, liquid fertilizer each month until they flower. While the plants are growing, they can get very thirsty! Water them freely during growth but only sparingly in winter.

Your Agapanthus should be grown in fertile soil that is kept moist but well drained. Alternatively, you could grow them in a container if you want to. To prune Agapanthus, remove any leaves that are still there in late autumn. The seed heads can be left to dry out because they look very attractive during winter. 

 

This plant has a low risk of causing any allergies so your pets and babies will be safe. Agapanthus is great for bees and other pollinators in your garden.