Agapanthus are one of the trendy flowers of this decade. The ball shaped umbrels are masses of tubular flowers in blue, violet or white. The deciduous sword shaped leaves grow from a bulb and root clump. Since new vvarieties have been bred to be hardy it has been practical to move Agapanthus from the cold greenhouse into pots and now into the border.

Gardeners Tips about Agapanthus

• Commonly called the ‘African Lily’ or ‘Lily of the Nile’ this picture is Agapanthus Snow Cloud. It and  blue varieties prefer a warm sunny positions without the danger of waterlogged soil.
• Agapanthus are part of the Allium family and are not fragrant unlike so may Lilys.
• Flower stalks can be over 3 foot tall.
• If you experience frost pockets take plants indoors or cover crowns in winter with straw, leaves, bracken or compost.
• If grown from seed over wintering in a frost free place is necessary to build up the bulbs.
• Avoid rich soils, as they promote weak growth that is vulnerable to frost-damage.
• Performing best in pots they also make excellent cut flowers.
• Provide plenty of water during the growing season ensure success.
• Evergreen species include the majestic A. comptonii, a frost-tender species that is ideal for containers
• The blue varieties Profusion and Buckingham Palace have an AGM
• There are National collections at PCP Devon and in Tadley Hampshire .