No, agapanthus is not a plant typicall from Bretagne (West part of France). And yet it’s such a popular plant in municipal flowerbeds along the Breton coast.
Native to South Africa, this hardy plant has quickly won the hearts of gardeners over the world with its magnificent ball-shaped flowers and lush foliage.
Agapanthus origins
Agapanthus, whose name derives from the Greek “agape” meaning “love” and “anthos” meaning “flower”, comes to us from South Africa. It grows wild along river banks and in wet meadows. Its brilliant blooms are a veritable spectacle of nature, attracting pollinators and brightening up coastal landscapes with their bluish hues.
Botanical features
Agapanthus is a perennial plant. It produces balls of flowers ranging from white to deep blue, with every shade in between. Two-tone varieties are also available.
Its narrow, upright leaves form an attractive base for the flower stems, adding a touch of greenery to any garden and so are beautiful even when not in bloom. This perennial can reach up to a meter in height and usually flowers in summer, although it can sometimes offer a second autumn bloom in warmer climates.
There are two main varieties: those that keep their foliage in winter and fear frost, and those whose foliage disappears completely in winter. The latter is therefore more resistant, because to really freeze, the soil must also freeze.
On the other hand, agapanthus whose foliage freezes in winter sometimes has more difficulty flowering the following summer.
- Zoological Name: Agapanthus
- Family: Liliaceae
- Height: 60 to 100 cm
- Exposition: Sunny
- Soil: Ordinary, well-drained. Likes acid soil.
- Hardiness: resistant to -5°C
Culture and Maintenance
Agapanthus is a relatively easy plant to grow, provided its basic needs are met. In fact, it’s on my list of 16 maintenance-free flowering plants.
It thrives in well-drained soils rich in organic matter, and prefers a sunny or partially shaded location. Although drought-tolerant once established, it appreciates regular watering during the growing season to encourage abundant flowering the following year. In addition, a layer of mulch around the base of the plant can help conserve soil moisture and reduce weeds.
You can cut the deflowered stems in autumn or leave them until the chickadees have eaten the seeds. They can also be saved for dried bouquets.
If you’re growing it in a pot in a region colder than the coast, place your agapanthus in a sunny, draught-free spot, against a wall, for example.
Agapanthus in winter
On the coast, agapanthus requires no special care. It doesn’t like frost, but it doesn’t usually kill it.
If you live in a colder area, consider using a winter veil if you want to keep it in the ground. Otherwise, a potted agapanthus will do well in a conservatory or greenhouse.
Multiplication
Agapanthus is happy to reseed itself. All you need to do is collect the small plants. It’s also easy to propagate from seed, or divide a large plant to make several smaller ones.
Agapanthus disease
I’m not aware of any agapanthus diseases. However, a devastating insect has been reported on the island of Bréhat, a small diurnal midge, the agapanthus midge.
The insect lays eggs in the buds, causing deformations in the flower. Affected buds should be cut off and destroyed by burning or sealing in an airtight plastic bag for several days.
Garden use
Plant it in beds, borders or pots to create focal points, or let it grow freely in flowerbeds for a more natural effect. Its flowers also make excellent subjects for fresh or dried bouquets, adding an exotic touch to floral arrangements.
The blue of agapanthus goes well with a very red flower such as alstroemeria, daylilies or gladioli.
