Sign up for our newsletter. Published: Wednesday, 22 April, 2020 at 10:28 am. My advice. Water well, but they can take drought as well. Where do they like to be grown? Reduce watering during colder months. In the UK trials, the plants were exposed to a fairly severe winter season in London and survived beautifully. If you live in a region where winter freezes a lot, grow your plants in in pots to be able to protect your Lily of the Nile from freezing cold. https://www.saga.co.uk/.../plants/perennials/how-to-grow-agapanthus If you have purchased your Agapanthus in pots, you can plant them all year round, except during frost and heat spells. Agapanthus will also benefit from a fortnightly feed of liquid high-potash tomato food during the growing season. Best place for Lily of the Nile. Then, you can place them in a cool basement or garage. If you can satisfy this requirement and take care of a few basic watering rules, you'll almost be guaranteed to have a splendid display of flowers throughout the summer months. Allow the tubers to dry out for a few days in a dry, warm location. In the modern garden, you might think that you want your Agapanthus plants to spread far and wide. A cold frame, conservatory or greenhouse is ideal. Can you grow the deciduous varieties outside everywhere in the UK? Agapanthus tend to flower better if their roots are restricted, so do well in pots. Without deadheading, the plant goes to seed and the blooming season is shortened considerably. Store your container in the fridge at 0 to 5 C (60 to 70 per cent humidity), in an unheated garage or outside. To do this, dig six to eight inches deep around the outside of an existing clump, leaving a margin of about six inches, depending on the size of the clump. Deciduous Agapanthus should be allowed to rest for the winter. Agapanthus Care Over Winter in Zones 8 Zone 8 is the coolest region recommended for the majority of Agapanthus species. Clean the house. Agapanthus are well suited to being grown in pots, especially the evergreen varieties which can then be brought into a conservatory or greenhouse for the winter. If you can satisfy this requirement and take care of a few basic watering rules, you'll almost be guaranteed to have a splendid display of flowers throughout the summer months. Use a slow release fertiliser or pellets. Most agapanthus are hardy and their leaves die down in winter. of mulch. The most commonly asked question is ‘Why aren’t my plants flowering?’. These can then be brought in for the winter into a light, dry, cool and frost free environment. They’re more likely to survive the winter if you eliminate this risk! Agapanthus (Lily-of-the-Nile) is a rhizome grown in the ground as an evergreen perennial in warmer areas. Agapanthus does well in a pot filled with a commercial potting mixture. Fertilize it monthly in the summer. Furthermore, how do you take care of agapanthus in the winter? The attractive seedheads are often left on over autumn for decorative reasons. In terms of general container care, the plants prefer a rich but well-drained soil mix and moderate to bright light indoors. For most of us, this means winter care for agapanthus may require lifting the tubers and storing them. It was doing well in a container until we had a lot of rain and it rot. Water agapanthus well between April and August to mimic the wet season in their native South Africa. Use a loam based compost like John Innes No3 with slow release feed granules added for long term feed. I have brought in my agapanthus bulbs and don't know how to winter them over to take outdoors in the spring. Keep the plant slightly on the dry side until May. Store the roots in a dry location at 40° - 50° and replant them in the spring. Answered by Downtoearthdigs on November 10, 2015. 1. You have additional options/considerations for Lily of the Nile care over the winter if your plants are in pots. Watch Monty Don demonstrate how to plant agapanthus in a pot: Water agapanthus planted in the garden for the first year after planting. Some tender, evergreen agapanthus may survive winter, but it’s best to move them indoors in case of severe winter weather. This long-flowering patio sunflower came in third place in the 2018 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year competition. Is it true they like their roots to be restricted? Evergreen forms are more tender and usually need the shelter of a greenhouse from early winter to spring. 1. This showstopper will add colour to your garden throughout summer and autumn. These are quick to seed and can often become a menace in suburbs adjoining bushland areas. The soil can be allowed to dry out in the autumn and winter. Agapanthus Care Frost. You can … Virtual Chelsea 17-21 May 2021 Virtual Chelsea. The deciduous Agapanthus range from fully hardy to half hardy, and the evergreen varieties are generally the most tender. Pot-grown agapanthus will benefit from an annual feed – a liquid tomato feed is ideal. Deciduous plant foliage will die back and should be cut off after it is yellow. Although agapanthus are the ultimate easy-case plant, you should take care to remove the finished flower heads. Meanwhile the evergreen variety of agapanthus are more delicate. … Ensure that you feed with during the growing season. You’ll need to wear gloves when you handle your agapanthus, as the sap from the leaves and rhizomes can cause skin irritation. It's not necessary to prune back agapanthus in preparation for winter, as the leaves will drop on their own. Ensure that you feed with during the growing season. By leaving the green leaves intact, the plants. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/care-agapanthus-garden-104342.html On a warm autumn day and before the first frosts, cover the crowns of the hardy deciduous agapanthus with straw, to protect over winter. Deciduous agapanthus are hardier than evergreen types, and can survive British winters if grown in a sheltered spot. Sizes – We supply 9cm and 2.5ltr Agapanthus plants. Love that rich blue color. Over the years, surrounding trees and shrubs have grown up, shading a once sunny row of aggies. Reduce the size of the container – plants that are very happy don’t see the need to flower. You may need to use two garden forks back to back to divide very established clumps. Use a general purpose fertilizer and dilute it to half the strength that is recommended on the packaging using water. In a basement, you could experiment with using ordinary fluorescent bulbs close to the plants, running about 16 hours or so each day. Feel free to cut blooms for arrangements as this will not hurt your plants. Water the agapanthus enough to keep the soil moist. They are tolerant of a wide range of soils. Intro: The African lily, also called Agagpathus, has 20 to 30 blue-purple or white flowers that bloom in a sphere on top of a 20-inch-tall central stalk. You can bring the potted Agapanthus indoors and give it a cooler location. 8 top agapanthus care tips. Plant agapanthus in a suitable location. Pull the mulch away a bit in spring to allow the new growth to push through. 5. Those grown in pots will require watering more regularly. Agapanthus flowers develop during the summer and last for weeks. It is quite common for agapanthus to start life in full sun but end up in the shade. If planting Agapanthus in a container, leave room for a winter mulch to protect the plant. In fact the weedlike tendencies of this plant are often debated in the world of horticulture and in some parts of Victoria it is declared a weed. In all but the warmest winter locations, even the deciduous plants are best protected with a dry mulch of straw as an insurance overwinter. Wait until it dies back, however, to allow the plant time to gather solar energy to refuel the next season’s bloom. Store the roots in a dry location at 40° - 50° and replant them in the spring. These are quick to seed and can often become a menace in suburbs adjoining bushland areas. Do not allow it to dry out for a long period of time. Winter care for Agapanthus may depend upon which variety of the plant you have. Well now you do. Basic care of Agapanthus. Once spring and its warm temperatures arrive, begin a fertilizing routine and regular watering. Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus sp. There’s a good chance that they won’t have the traits that you like from the parent too. A. Some tender, evergreen agapanthus may survive winter, but it’s best to move them indoors in case of severe winter weather. Dig up the tubers and brush off the soil. This can be done in spring or after flowering in autumn. If you are growing the plant is a pot or container, you can bring it indoors and place it under fluorescent lights or keep it in a warm greenhouse. Agapanthus can tolerate less watering than many other plants and can thrive in a hot summer. Lift garden plant and pot them up in a cool, light but frost-free place for winter, and move pot-grow agapanthus under cover, too. Agapanthus do well in pots. A few notes on how to care for Agapanthus in winter interior conditions: Deciduous plant foliage will die back and should be cut off after it is yellow. Agapanthus 'Northern Star’ A classic agapanthus with clumps of short strappy leaves and cobalt-blue flowers with a prominent darker stripe in the middle. During the winter, water lightly. Planting in the Garden – Agapanthus thrive in well-drained soil, in a sunny site that receives sun for most of the day. If they’re deciduous, wait until they go dormant (foliage dies/wilts). And these are gonna go back under the hover where sheltered in case there's more frost because winter is not quite over yet, but it's a good job to do on a day like today. From the team at Gardeners' World Magazine, Subscribe to BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and receive Monty Don's The Complete Gardener. Learn more about growing agapanthus in our Grow Guide, below. They might be less compact, have different color flowers, or just have a “wilder” appearance overall. To start, you will need to dig up the entire plant. Determine if your agapanthus is decidious or evergreen. As such, they are only hardy to United States Department of Agriculture zones 9 to 11. My ideas. Lift the plants and carefully divide the crown with a sharp spade, making sure that each section has at least two growing points. Evergreen plants will need occasional water during the winter months if you live in a dry region. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! They do best if you grow them in tubs during summer then take them indoors during winter, when a … Plant and grow the agapanthus in tubs or containers for easier moving. To do this, dig six to eight inches deep around the outside of an existing clump, leaving a margin of about six inches, depending on the size of the clump. We do not recommend planting if the weather is frosty. On a warm autumn day and before the first frosts, cover the crowns of the hardy deciduous agapanthus with straw, to protect over winter. 8. Agapanthus Care In the garden. Punch air holes in the lid. Plant reasonably deep to protect the plant from frost. If you plant them in a mixed border, don't put them too close to vigorous perennials as they can be overshadowed.' Basic care of Agapanthus. They make an excellent cut flower. Full sun and a well-drained soil are the secrets to success with agapanthus. 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Put potted specimens outside in summer in the sunniest, hottest place you have. ———————– I was wandering through your Q & A and saw your agapanthus statement: “I don’t know anyone who has successfully kept one outdoors in the winter here”. I find they will grow almost anywhere if they have good light. Agapanthus are either evergreen or deciduous. Evergreen forms are more tender and usually need the shelter of a greenhouse from early winter to spring. Exclusive offer from gardenersworld.com shopping deals: Get 25% off your first two Butternut Boxes. Reduce watering and feeding in September and allow the plant to dry out. 4. I find that agapanthus are tolerant of poor drainage. Q. agapanthus + winter care. All Agapanthus both deciduous and evergreen varieties will survive a winter best planted in soil which is not too wet. Agapanthus 'Northern Star’ A classic agapanthus with clumps of short strappy leaves and cobalt-blue flowers with a prominent darker stripe in the middle. In very cold areas, protect agapanthus rhizomes from frost by applying a thick layer of straw or dry sand around the plants before winter … Wait until it dies back, however, to allow the plant time to … The ‘Albus’ cultivar has white flowers, ‘Sapphire’ has dark blue flowers, ‘Aureus’ has leaves striped with yellow and ‘Variegatus’ has white leaves with green bands. Plant the agapanthus in a location that has full sun for most of the day. There are at least 10 species of Agapanthus with some listed as deciduous and some evergreen. Leave the foliage uncut as this provides additional winter protection. Most agapanthus are hardy and their leaves die down in winter. In all but the warmest winter locations, even the deciduous plants are best protected with a dry mulch of straw as an insurance overwinter. Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips – all to help you grow successfully. Grow agapanthus in well-drained soil in a sheltered spot in full sun. Bring indoors and keep in a sunny place and keep watering if it is an evergreen variety. Cut back spent flowerheads after blooming and mulch annually with well-rotted compost or other organic matter. Be sure to visit our shop and browse our collection of agapanthus plants! How to Grow and Care for African Lily in Containers. If it is, the plant may begin to come back. More importantly, it allows the plant to produce more blooms. Agapanthus are well suited to being grown in pots, especially the evergreen varieties which can then be brought into a conservatory or greenhouse for the winter. Leave the foliage uncut as this provides additional winter protection. Subscribe and receive Monty Don's book The Complete Gardener - worth £27 RRP.