Get agapanthus flowers every year

They flower for a long time, in shades of blue, purple and white, are low-maintenance and relatively trouble-free. Discover 10 agapanthus to grow.

According to agapanthus grower and expert Steve Hickman, the most common problem with agapanthus is that the plant has plenty of leaves, but no flowers.

Here are his tips for growing healthy agapanthus that will produce masses of flowers, year after year.

Check hardiness

Deciduous agapanthus are fully hardy and can be grown in pots and borders all over the country. Evergreen varieties are not fully hardy. If you live northwards of London or in a cold area, grow these in pots, so that you can give them protection in winter.

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Agapanthus Blue Moon — Pale blue flowers of Agapanthus 'Blue Moon'

Use the right compost mix

Agapanthus need good drainage. If growing in pots, mix two parts good-quality multipurpose compost or John Innes No. 2 or No. 3 with one part coarse sand, horticultural grit or gravel. If growing plants in the ground, grow them in well drained soil, or add some grit when planting.

Restrict the roots when young

When agapanthus are young, they like to have their roots restricted. You can put three smaller plants in a 12 in (45cm) pot. After two years, repot the plants into slightly larger pots. If you're starting with a larger plant, plant it in a 12 inch pot.

Restrict roots — Watering three small agapanthus planted together in a 12 inch pot to constrain the roots

Give them a sunny spot

Agapanthus hail from the south African Cape, so they appreciate plenty of sunshine. They will tolerate partial shade for a few hours of the day however.

Pale blue flowers of Agapanthus Margaret

Feed them regularly

Agapanthus appreciate a high potash feed to encourage flowers – specialist agapanthus feeds are available. Start feeding from mid-March and continue every two to three weeks until mid-September.

Feed regularly — Applying dissolved plant feed to agapanthus in a planter

Prepare them for winter

Water plants in early November, then stop until early March. Protect tender varieties in pots by putting them in a cold greenhouse, shed or garage, or under the house eaves. Mulch deciduous agapanthus in borders in autumn to protect flower buds formed in summer.

Agapanthus Tornado — Purple-blue flowers of Agapanthus 'Tornado'

Thanks to Steve Hickman of Hoyland Plant Centre for providing the information in this feature.

Agapanthus and fennel — White agapanthus flowers beside feathery fennel