Growing agapanthus in Perth

WA Scene | March 9, 2022 | 0 Comments

How to grow agapanthus in Perth

Growing Agapanthus in Perth

Agapanthus are a fantastic addition to any West Australian garden. West Australian summer wouldn’t be the same without agapanthus in full flower. Aggies, as they’re often called in WA, are blue or sometimes white long-stemmed lilies. It’s common to spot them at roundabouts and along the fence lines of regional properties in the South West. Agapanthus make for an excellent edging plant, along the driveway or around the pool.

If you have ever wondered how to grow agapanthus in Perth then look no further. Agapanthus are a relatively easy flower to grow, and there are a few tricks to successfully growing agapanthus in Perth, Western Australia. Get these right and you will be laughing.

When to plant agapanthus in Perth:

If you are wondering when to plant agapanthus in Australia the best time to plant agapanthus is in early Spring so that the plants can flower in Summer.

Where do agapanthus grow best?

Agapanthus are perfect for the beginner gardener as they are a very low maintenance plant. They are hardy and drought tolerant and will even grow in poor soil. Agapanthus are ideally suited plants for borders, fence lines, and driveways. Dwarf agapanthus are superb in rockeries or pots.

How much water do agapanthus need?

Watering agapanthus when first planted and first established is fairly important, especially in dry areas like Perth. If you water at least once a day during this initial 3 week planting period this will ensure optimum growth. Once established watering once a week will be sufficient.

How big do agapanthus grow?

Agapanthus range in height, some are quite small 20-60cm; while others can grow up to 1.5 m in height.

Types of agapanthus in Perth, WA:

Below is a list of some of the more popular varieties of agapanthus;

Baby Pete Agapanthus – ‘Baby Pete’ is a dwarf form with tall blue-purple flower spikes and will grow up to 20cm tall x 40cm wide.
Black Magic Agapanthus – ‘Black Magic’ has stunning large flower heads with black-purple buds that open to a dark purple over the summer months. Will grow up to 40cm tall x 60cm wide.
Buccaneer Agapanthus – ‘Buccaneer’ produces stunning large striped white and dark purple flowers on spikes up to 80cm tall over the summer months. Repeat flowering.
Perpetual Peace Agapanthus – ‘Perpetual Peace’ is a smaller-growing form with white flowers and will grow up to 40cm tall x 60cm wide.
Purple Cloud Agapanthus – ‘Purple Cloud’ has tall purple flower spikes that will grow up to 2m tall. The clump of leaves can be 1m H x 1m W.
Queen Mum Agapanthus – ‘Queen Mum’ produces stunning large dual-coloured white and blue flowers on spikes up to 1.5m above the dark green foliage over the summer months. Will grow up to 1.5m tall x 1m wide.
Silver Baby Agapanthus – ‘Silver Baby’ is a small variety with heads of white flowers tipped in blue over the summer months. Will grow up to 50cm tall x 60cm wide.
Snowball Agapanthus – ‘Snowball’ is a dwarf variety with heads of white flowers over the summer months. Will grow up to 40cm tall x 40cm wide.
Streamline Agapanthus – ‘Streamline’ is a dwarf variety with heads of pale blue flowers over the summer months. Will grow up to 40cm tall x 30cm wide.
Brilliant Blue Agapanthus – ‘Brilliant Blue’ is a medium variety with heads of bright blue flowers over the Summer months. ‘Brilliant Blue’ will grow to 50cm tall x 40cm wide.
Fireworks Agapanthus – ‘Fireworks’ is a medium variety growing to 70cm tall and 50cm wide which flowers from spring to autumn months with heads of bicolour blue and white flowers. It is a great plant for mass plantings, borders and also as a lovely specimen plant in pots
Maxsie Agapanthus – ‘Maxsie’ is a medium variety which flowers over the Summer months with heads of bright white flowers with blue toward the base of the flower. ‘Maxsie’ will grow to 40cm tall x 50cm wide.
White Agapanthus -‘White’ is a large variety with heads of bright white flowers over the summer months. Will grow up to 1.5m tall x 50cm wide.

How to grow agapanthus at home:

Growing agapanthus at home in the garden is pretty straightforward.

Choose a place in the garden that gets full sun to part shade. Prepare the planting area well by digging in a bag of dynamic lifter and soil improver.
Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove from the pot, gently tease the roots.
Position the agapanthus in your hole and back-fill with soil, gently firming down the topsoil. Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant’s root zone. Water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.
Mulch with an organic mulch such as bark chips or pea straw, keeping it clear of the base of the plant to avoid any potential spread of disease.
Feed in autumn and spring with a dynamic lifter and soil improver to ensure strong root development and healthy, vibrant flowers .

Growing agapanthus in a pot:

You don’t need a large space to have your very own agapanthus. Growing agapanthus in pots is easy, fun and rewarding! In general growing agapanthus in pots is a great idea. Below are the steps on how to how to grow agapanthus in a pot;

Choose a pot that is at least twice the size of the selected plant usually 60cm or bigger. Position in the garden in a location that receives full sun to half shade.
Fill the pot with a quality potting mix.
Remove the plant from the pot, gently tease the roots.
Position in hole and back-fill with potting mix, gently firming down the top soil in the pot. Water in well.Feed in autumn and spring with a dynamic lifter and soil improver to ensure strong root development and healthy, vibrant flowers.

How to propagate agapanthus:

Propagating agapanthus is easy through division in late autumn to winter. Carefully remove the agapanthus from the ground or the pot. Gently shake off some of the soil to expose the roots and the individual plants. Gently pull apart the individual plants making sure that each one retains its own roots.

When do agapanthus flower in Australia:

Most agapanthus here in Western Australia have a long flowering period usually from mid November to end of January.

Best fertiliser for agapanthus:

To keep your agapanthus healthy, fertilise them regularly with Rose and Flower Plant Food and keep them moist in hot weather. You can find at your local nursery or Bunnings. Follow the instructions depending on the brand.

When to prune agapanthus in Australia:

Pruning the foliage back when first transplanting your Agapanthus can be beneficial for a few reasons, including better root development, encouraging the Agapanthus to multiply and a fuller flowering next season.

Companion plants for agapanthus:

Looking for what to plant with agapanthus in Australia.

I like to plant agapanthus with other plants that offer long leaves and showy flowers include bearded iris, daylilies and allium.

With a dwarf agapanthus variety you can plant with hydrangea, and then add spiky birds of paradise, wild purple coneflowers or Shasta daisies. Low-growing alyssum or dianthus look great along a border edge also.

Where to buy agapanthus in Perth:

Buy agapanthus at your local nursery or you can even find agapanthus in Bunnings at periods throughout the year.

Agapanthus problems:

The most common problem with Agapanthus is pant and root rot. When day time temperatures exceed 35 degrees as it often does in Western Australia, its best not to water your agapanthus too often as it can result in root rot. Water your plants ahead of any forecast hot periods.

Agapanthus plants are generally resistant to most pests and diseases.

How to kill agapanthus:

Agapanthus can invades gardens, bushland and roadside areas which is not ideal.

The best way to remove agapanthus is to do the following;

1. Dig out the agapanthus including the roots of plants. Dispose of corms and root fragments or dry them out and burn them. Usually follow up with spraying.
2. Spray overall: metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (4g) + glyphosate (200ml) + penetrant per 10L water.
3. Cut down and paint stump: slash leaves close to ground, leave on site to rot down. Treat freshly cut bases with metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (1g) + glyphosate (50ml) + penetrant per 1L water or a 3-5mm layer of picloram gel.

Follow up frequently until eradicated. At least 3-4 follow up treatments are needed. Begin eradication at top of banks and work down.