Agapanthus praecox - White - 5 bulbs p-pack

Agapanthus

How to plant, care for and grow Agapanthus

Family	Amaryllidaceae
Name derived from	The Greek agapao (love) and anthos (flower)
Common name	lily of the Nile, African lily, blue lily, agapanthus
Sun Exposure	Full sun or light shade
Flower Colours	Light to dark blue and also pure white.
Frost Tolerance	Quite hardy and tolerate moderate frost

Agapanthus is diverse and easy in the garden with dense umbels of blossoms on bare stems ranging in colour from light to dark blue and also pure white. Floral stems most commonly grow from 30 cm to 1 m, depending on whether it is a species or hybrid.
Agapanthus praecox subsp. praecox occurs in Eastern Cape, it is generally 0.8 to 1 m tall and flowers in mid to late summer (December - February). It is distinguished from the other two subspecies by its longer perianth segments (50 mm or longer) and fewer leaves (10-11 per plant) which are leathery and suberect (spreading rather than arching). Flowers are open-faced and medium blue.
Agapanthus is a very variable genus, yet they are all broadly similar in appearance, with rhizomatous roots, strap-like leaves and an umbellate inflorescence on a stalk held above the leaves
Agapanthus praecox, one of the evergreens, is an extremely variable species consisting of three subspecies: subsp. praecox, subsp. orientalis and subsp. minimus.  It can be recognized by its 6-20 leaves per individual plant. These leaves are strap-like and may be leathery or flaccid, narrow or broad, short or long and have blunt or pointed tips. Although this description is very broad, it is relatively easy to tell it apart from the other evergreen species: A. africanus is restricted to Western Cape, mainly from the Cape Peninsula to Paarl and Stellenbosch, and as far eastwards as Swellendam. Its range does not overlap with that of A. praecox. It is small, 250 to 700 mm, flowers in late summer (December to April) and its perianth is thick or fleshy in texture and the leaves are leathery.
 
 
Position and Soil
Agapanthus can best be used lining a pathway or road. They can be given prominent positions as they are evergreen. They also work very well as a bank retainer and can be placed where the soil is poor and neglected.
Their flowering and general performance is improved when given well-composted and well-draining soil (add sand to your garden bed if required).
Regular watering in summer is important to ensuring good flowering. The clumps may be divided with a spade or large knife. Each piece must have both foliage and roots. Plant the pieces just under ground level. They will grow well in full sun or light shade, but they do not flower well in full-shade situations.
Agapanthus tolerate drought well, but for best results they should be watered regularly and deeply throughout the active period and especially in summer.
Propagation
It is best to leave Agapanthus undisturbed unless thinning out becomes essential. If you so wish you can transplant or divide in March every four years or so. Replanted rhizomes will take a year or two to settle and return to their former flowering glory.
Seed should be sown fresh as soon as it is ripe in late summer to early autumn. Sow seed in trays with equal parts river sand and compost and keep moist. The plants should flower after three to four years.