Does agapanthus spread?
It is possible for Agapanthus to self-seed. If you leave the flowerheads and seed pods on the plant, there is a chance they will burst, and spread their seeds across your borders and flower beds. Your agapanthus might not be flowing any number of reasons including, poor watering, not enough sunlight, has a lack of nutrients within the soil, or simply too young of a plant to bloom. Agapanthus flowering problems are actually quite common.With proper care, agapanthus flowering occurs repeatedly for several weeks throughout the season, then this perennial powerhouse returns to put on another show the next year. Agapanthus is a nearly indestructible plant and, in fact, most agapanthus varieties self-seed generously and may even become somewhat weedy.Plant in full sun – agapanthus require direct sunlight for at least two-thirds of the day. Too much shade and the flower stems will become weak and extended, if they appear at all.In places with cold winters, agapanthus plants will need to be brought indoors for protection. They should be potted up and placed in a sunny window. Most species are borderline hardy in zones 6 and 7, so plants left outdoors will need to be heavily mulched and potentially covered during hard freezes.
Are agapanthus better in pots or in the ground?
Agapanthus can grow well in pots, but they always do better if grown in open soil. The bit of truth in this myth comes from the fact that agapanthus dislikes having their fleshy, robust roots disturbed, and if they are divided, forget about seeing a good display of flowers for a few years — probably three. Avoid fertilizing your Agapanthus plants with high nitrogen fertilizers – use instead a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 5-5-5, or slightly higher in phosphorus than nitrogen. Suspend any fertilizer to either potted or in-ground plants by late summer.By choosing Agapanthus, you’re not just selecting a beautiful plant; you’re also making a sustainable choice. Its low water and soil requirements contribute to a more eco-friendly garden, reducing the need for fertilizers and extensive watering.The benefit of growing agapanthus in pots is that it’s easy to bring the tender, evergreen types under cover in autumn, so they’re protected from winter cold and damp. An unheated greenhouse or conservatory is ideal for over-wintering them. The more hardy deciduous types can be left outside.Asiatic lilies, alliums, cosmos, zinnias, and ornamental grasses are all effective companions when using Agapanthus as the focal point or an accent. Also, ensure that any companion plant thrives in full sun to part shade, and tolerates moderately moist soil with excellent drainage year-round.
How long does agapanthus last?
Most Agapanthus bloom for around 6 weeks, however ‘Flower of Love’ has been specially bred to be much more floriferous than other varieties, for an incredible 10-12 weeks, starting around mid-July. Thick fleshy roots store fluid and nutrients to enable these low-maintenance plants to flourish in poor dry soils. As agapanthus is one of the best bulbs to plant in February, most agapanthus plants will flower for around six weeks from mid-summer to early autumn. However, you can deadhead them as soon as their colour starts to fade and they start to lose their vibrancy.Grow agapanthus in well-drained soil in a sheltered spot in full sun. Agapanthus do well in pots. Cut back spent flowerheads after blooming and mulch annually with well-rotted compost or other organic matter.Prune: Prune the plant back by about a third after it finishes blooming. This will encourage bushier growth and more blooms the following year. Avoid overcrowding: Overcrowding can be detrimental to the plants’ health, so it’s important to thin out clumps of agapanthus every few years.Plant agapanthus in spring, ideally in March or April. Some varieties can be planted in September.The best time to plant your agapanthus from bare root is from March to May. If planting agapanthus in pots, use a mixture of soil and compost mixed with a little sand and grit to help drainage. Agapanthuses like a well drained soil/compost.
Where is the best place to plant agapanthus?
Grow all agapanthus in well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid planting in shade as they won’t flower much. In the border, ideally plant your agapanthus in spring. If they are growing in containers, plant them the same depth that they are in the pot. The hardiest of Agapanthus are deciduous, dying down in winter. Deciduous types will survive most UK conditions once they are established in flowerbeds, but should be protected from temperatures below -5ºC during their first winter or two.Without regular pruning and dividing, agapanthus plants will spread. They often produce offsets or side shoots that can grow into new plants. Additionally, they can also spread through seeds. As a perennial plant, agapanthus typically come back each year from the same rootstock.Agapanthus is a summer flowering plant, with exotic looking flowers in striking shades of blue, mauve, and white. Agapanthus are perennial and varieties are both evergreen and deciduous. Although the taller varieties are popular to grow, Agapanthus range in height from 10 to 150cm. Growing Agapanthus is easy.Winter care In cold areas, they’re best grown in pots so they can be wrapped in biodegradable or recycled 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.Despite being easy to grow, agapanthus are occasionally subject to problems. It is naturally disappointing when agapanthus don’t flower well. It’s quite a common problem, however, and thankfully one that can be resolved.
Do agapanthus like full sun or shade?
Agapanthus thrive in full sun and need 6-8 hours of sunlight each day. However, they do better in partial shade in hot climate areas. Agapanthus perform best in fertile, moist, and well-drained soil. They show no preference for pH, except Agapanthus africanus which prefers an acid soil. Feed your agapanthus with a potassium-rich liquid plant feed (such as comfrey or tomato fertiliser) every week during spring and summer. Potassium encourages flower production which means that your plants will create more blooms all summer long.Although agapanthus are drought-tolerant you’ll still need to water your pots at least a couple of times a week through the summer. They’ll also benefit from a high-potash liquid feed once a week to promote good flower development.Plant the roots so that the crown is around 5cm deep. If your Agapanthus already have leaves or shoots, plant the roots with the leaves exposed above the soil surface. Space the plants around 15-20cm apart from each other. Water-in thoroughly after planting and water regularly while in full growth.Agapanthus plants thrive in well-drained soils, preferring full sun but also tolerating partial shade. Their resilience against drought, once established, further enhances their appeal.