Africa's floral queen! Agapanthus are easy to grow and long-lasting, says Nigel Colborn
- In August, Agapanthus is one of the loveliest South African garden favourites
- There are hundreds of varieties, which are all easy to grow, even in Britain
- Each of the species boasts easy to grow shimmering blue drumstick flowers
South Africa boasts an amazingly diverse wild flora. So it's hardly surprising the prettiest species have become worldwide garden favourites. In August, the loveliest of all is surely Agapanthus, the Blue African Lily.
There are seven wild Agapanthus species — each bearing drumstick flowers in shimmering blue. Hundreds of garden varieties have been bred from them, all easy to grow and many hardy, even in Britain.
You can buy them as flowering container plants now and enjoy them for weeks.
Almost all are blue, in subtly different shades and varying sizes. But there are also whiteflowered varieties.
Blue belle: The Blue African Lily is known for its shimmering blue drumstick flowers
Agapanthus flourish in large containers or in free-draining natural soil. Hardy varieties can be left outdoors. But tender ones need to be kept frost-free — so make sure you check the label before buying.
To flower successfully they need plenty of sun. They'll flower more freely if well watered, especially during spring.
If agapanthus become potbound, they'll stop flowering. So divide and re-pot containerised specimens every two or three years, in spring. Plants in the ground can be divided and re-planted during spring.
THE RIGHT STUFF
Agapanthus can be evergreen or deciduous. Most hardy varieties were developed from A. campanulatus. However, they benefit from winter mulching.
Evergreen kinds, bred from A. africanus have larger flowers. They're wonderful for big tubs but must be kept frost-free.
A third species, A. inapertus comes from South Africa's subtropical east. It's a gorgeous plant with dangling, tubular flowers. And being deciduous, it's easy to protect in winter.
There are hundreds of garden varieties, all easy to grow and many hardy, even in Britain
You'll find the most interesting varieties at specialist nurseries. Hoyland Plant Centre (some thingforthegarden.co.uk) lists about 40 agapanthus in various shapes and sizes.
Among interesting dwarf varieties, they offer whiteflowered Snow Pixie, pale blue Peter Pan and more.
Among tall kinds, I love dark violet blue Northern Star and a stronggrowing evergreen, African Skies. You'll also come across good agapanthus at Burncoose (burncoose.co.uk) and from Broadleigh Bulbs (broadleighbulbs-spring.co.uk).
BLUE BEAUTIES
Although agapanthus are easy to grow, they benefit from a little extra help. In unfavourable conditions, they may still look healthy, but fail to flower. This is especially so in poor soils, low light or when pot-bound.
For container culture, a half tub is better and more stable than an undersized pot.
Use general purpose potting compost, mixed with a little soil for extra stability. The container must drain freely and regular watering is essential during spring and summer.
From autumn onwards, reduce watering and, in winter, keep the compost just moist.
I feed containerised agapanthus with slow-release general fertiliser granules in early April. For plants in the ground, a handful of pelleted chicken manure or Growmore should suffice.
Back in 1996, I spotted an intriguing variety, Agapanthis inapertus Graskop, in Cape Town's Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden.
But despite occurring in just one wild location, thanks to 'microprop' techniques you can buy this sombre beauty from nurseries including Burncoose and Fairweathers.
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