August Plant Profile

Agapanthus by Trips Secretary Elizabeth Rees

Agapanthus is a genus of clump-forming perennials with erect stems that carry large umbels of bell trumpet shaped flowers, usually blue or white, but there are also purple and bi-coloured varieties and a few with variegated foliage.

They are mainly hardy, deciduous types are hardier than evergreens, but the crowns can be protected in winter with a mulch.

Plants increase slowly but can be divided in spring. They are easy to raise from seed sewn in autumn or spring. When planted in the open ground they grow well and develop into fat clumps of foliage, but flowering can be a little sparse. In containers, the foliage tends to develop less but flowering is more prolific.

Grow them in full sun, in rich but free draining soil. In containers stand them on pot feet for drainage. Cut faded flowers at the base and feed those in containers monthly during the growing season, using tomato food.