Dwarf Agapanthus

Kleinbloulelie (Afr.)

Agapanthus africanus is a fast growing plant that that propagates through rhizomes. Agapanthus species are one of South Africa's best-known garden plants, although mostly the bigger evergreen Agapanthus praecox are grown. The dwarf variety grows naturally in selected winter rainfall areas. Fire or fire smoke stimulate profuse flowering.

Planning

Difficulty

Moderate

Flowering time

Summer

Harvesting

Harvest seeds after flowering (when the capsules have dried out). Cut flower stalks during flower for a beautiful display in a vase.

Propagation

Seed

Sowing time during autumn - and sow 1.5 times deeper than the seed size. Germination time is less than 2 months.

Division

The best time to lift and divide agapanthus is late March after they have finished flowering. Evergreen varieties should be divided once every four years.

Rhizomes

Lift and divide the rhizomes after flowering in autumn.

Special features

Attracts useful insects

Attract insects like bees and butterflies.

Attracts birds

Nectar-loving birds visit as well as insect-eating birds that feast on the pollinators!

Pot plant

Easily grows in a good sized pot.

Drought resistant

Rhizomes serve to be a valuable water store in dry times.

Geography

Origin

South Africa

Natural climate

Mediterranean

Environment

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Soil moisture

Moist

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil PH preference

Acid

Frost hardiness

Half-Hardy

Uses

Notes

Pretty low growing Agapanthus plant to use as edging to borders. A versatile plant which suits a range of sites from urban city courtyards to informal coastal gardens in containers or wall-side borders.

Personality

Family

Agapanthaceae

Flower colour

Blues to white., Blue

Scent

None

Problems

Botrytis rot, a fungal disease, can be treated by spraying the buds with fungicide before and after they have opened. Snails are best dealt with by picking them off by hand when you spot them or invite ducks to help control.

Companion plants

Forest lily

Veltheimia bracteata

Citronella spur-flower

Plectranthus spp.