Agapanthus

[smallblueplanet]

I bought a 'clump' of a small variety of agapanthus about 2-3 years ago. It was planted in an 19cm black plastic pot. Well, its done very little, even the leaves are a bit pathetic. Last year it seemed like there might be a couple of weedy flower stalks, but no flowers. Have I been sold a clump of grass?

[jeannine]

I've had mixed success with agapanthus, but i think it does better in open ground, so it might be worth moving it to a sunny spot with well draining soil.

I bought a scruffy old one half price from a garden centre sale and it's flowered it's heart out every year - maybe you should try being mean to your one if all else fails!!!

[smallblueplanet]

- maybe you should try being mean to your one if all else fails!!!

Oh but thats all I have done - potted it up and left it! lol! Perhaps the pot was originally too big?

[Nicos]

I seem to recall that they like crowded roots.
I think perhaps you were too generous with potting them on?
Can you repot them to one size smaller- or put some broken tiles or stones down the inside of the pot sides?
It's been a wet year , and they do tolerate dry - here have a look at this site I found....

A Guide to Growing Agapanthus :: ABC Adelaide

[JennieAtkinson]

Agapanthus are one of my favourite plants but I can't grow them up here. Apparently they flower better when the roots are constrained (I seem to remember my mother telling me!) so a pot should be ideal. I think they take a bit to get going though Manda.

[JennieAtkinson]

Great minds think alike Nicos!!! Even posted at the same time.

[smallblueplanet]

Okay thanks, I'm gonna be real mean to it this year!

[Nicos]

Great minds think alike Nicos!!! Even posted at the same time.

I think you've just helped me decide what plants to stock up on this year SBP!!!

[smallblueplanet]

Noooo! You blaming me for spending more money down the garden centre!!! Still these sound very good for neglect and dry weather - in France, you hope!

[Nicos]

Noooo! You blaming me for spending more money down the garden centre!!! Still these sound very good for neglect and dry weather - in France, you hope!

Absolutely!!
( our car looked like a mobile greenhouse on the way out there last time!)

There are LOADS of iris there which surprised me as I thought they'd need more water!
A learning curve eh??

[JennieAtkinson]

Anybody know if they would grow in a greenhouse? I've tried them outside here but they just died and the Agapanthus society chap thought we were too far north for them to be a success.

I just LOVE the flowers and then the seed heads.

[Palustris]

We have them in our cold greenhouse and they seem to come to no harm.

[Flummery]

People round here (including me) grow them in the open ground - no root restriction and great flowering - I'd be tempted to bang 'em in the garden.