The best agapanthus to grow in your garden

Known as African lily or lily of the Nile, agapanthus work well in schemes large and small. Horticulturist Andy McIndoe selects the best agapanthus to grow and gives advice on caring for them. Photos by Dianna Jazwinski

By Andy McIndoe

Published: Friday, 12 May 2023 at 12:00 am

Known as African lily or lily of the Nile, agapanthus are evergreen or deciduous perennials with umbels of trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of blue or white, on tall stems and strap-like leaves. They grow well in borders and many are perfect for pots.
Agapanthus hail from southern Africa, but, like their fellow countrymen, crocosmias, they have spread around the world and naturalised where the climate is favourable for them. In their native environment, agapanthus enjoy sunshine, fertile soil and adequate rainfall.

When do agapanthus flower?

All agapanthus bloom from mid to late summer, with most producing attractive seedheads.

Are agapanthus evergreen or deciduous?

Agapanthus can be evergreen or deciduous. Those that hail originally from cooler places and higher altitudes are deciduous and die back over winter, re-emerging again in spring. Those that hail from warmer regions are evergreen and often larger in size. They may need protection over the winter in a cool greenhouse in the UK.

AGAPANTHUS IN BRIEF
What Agapanthus are evergreen or deciduous perennials with strap-like leaves and umbels of trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of blue or white carried above the leaves on smooth stems.
Season All agapanthus bloom from mid to late summer, with most producing attractive seedheads.
Size Height can vary from around 30cm to more than a metre. Clump-forming to a maximum of 30cm.
Conditions Moist, well-drained soil in a site that gets sun for most of the day

How to grow agapanthus

Where to grow agapanthus

Agapanthus need sun for at least two thirds of the day. Inadequate sunlight results in thin stems, poor growth and no flowers.

If planting in the open ground, moist, well-drained soil is ideal. Poor dry soil needs the addition of plenty of organic matter and slow-release fertiliser.

Growing agapanthus in pots

In pots a mix of loam-based compost with a little horticultural grit is ideal. Agapanthus do not like to be overpotted (in a pot that is too large for the rootball, with lots of compost around it) but contrary to popular belief they do not need to be pot-bound to flower.

Agapanthus care

Watering agapanthus
Agapanthus need plenty of water, particularly if grown in pots. Dry conditions, especially later in the year can result in poor flowering the following season.

Feeding agapanthus
Agapanthus are heavy feeders. Feed twice a year, in spring and midsummer with rose fertiliser, or feed regularly with liquid tomato feed to provide plenty of nitrogen and potash for strong growth and abundant flowers.

The best agapanthus to grow in the garden

Agapanthus ‘Glen Avon’

"Agapanthus

A hardy evergreen agapanthus cultivar bred in New Zealand with large flower heads consisting of hundreds of pale-blue flowers with darker stripes through the centres of the petals.
Height 1m. Hardiness rating RHS H3, USDA 8a-11.