Agapanthus or lily of the Nile are fantastic summer-flowering perennials with beautiful strap like leaves amongst flowers that are large balls of many trumpet like smaller flowers on tall stems. They are similar to ornamental onions but without the dirty foliage. Agapanthus remains luxuriant throughout the summer. To grow agapanthus they do well in all soils and prefer full sunlight. They make the perfect plant for a pot as they flower better when they are pot bound. To plant Agapanthus and for it to flourish in a pot a balanced liquid fertiliser should be applied monthly during flowering. They do like a cuddle in the winter with a little fleece or mulch and if they are in a pot you can lift them somewhere sheltered over the coldest 3 months. When planted in the border just cover the crown with a couple of inches of mulch once the frost has turned them to mush. They seed themselves quite freely or they divide between the eyes in winter. Every one needs an agapanthus or two at least in the garden and you shouldn't fear losing them if you follow these simple precautions.
Agapanthus Columba is a deciduous form producing panicles of trumpet-shaped flowers in the summer which are dark blue-purple outside and paler blue-purple inside. H.50/75cm
