One of the most spectacular plants we have in our nursery at this time of year, as it is at its optimal point, is the Agapanthus. In this post we will see each and every Agapanthus available at Sala Graupera.
The genus Agapanthus belongs to the Agapanthaceae family. Its name derives from the Greek agape (love) and anthos (flower), meaning 'flower of love'. Endemic to South Africa, these are herbaceous, compact and rhizomatous plants; presenting basal rosettes of evergreen, strap-shaped, flat and quite succulent leaves, generally dark green, except for some variegated varieties. Their flowers are always grouped in umbels at the end of a long stem, blooming from May to July. Depending on the variety, the flowers are of different sizes and colors, as we will see below.
Agapanthus do not have specific soil requirements. They grow well in acidic, neutral or basic soils; tolerating most soil conditions, whether sandy or clayey. But they appreciate fertile soils.
It is a species that tolerates soil drought very well. It only requires support irrigation during the 8-10 weeks after planting; once well-rooted it does not require any watering (except those planted in pots). It is beneficial to cover the soil with some type of mulch to retain soil moisture and prevent the appearance of unwanted weeds that may compete with it.
Most Agapanthus belong to hardiness zone number 8, with an average annual minimum temperature range of -12.2 / -6.7°C, showing resistance to strong frosts within the Mediterranean climate.
It is a very suitable plant for sustainable gardening, or for flower gardens and patios. It is also a very useful plant as ground cover in flower beds.
As essential care, it is advisable to remove wilted flowers at the end of autumn. It is also not prone to diseases or major pests.
_Agapanthus_ 'Peter Pan' is a small-sized Agapanthus specimen, reaching 30/45 centimeters in height by 20/30 in width. Its preferred location is in full sun, although it tolerates relative shade. Its flowering is light blue as can be seen in the photograph.
Image of Agapanthus 'Peter Pan' ; Source: © Guillem Morral
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_Agapanthus praecox_ is the tallest and largest Agapanthus we have at Sala Graupera, reaching 80/100 centimeters in height by 40/60 in width. Its flowering is also blue, slightly darker than 'Peter Pan'. It tolerates light shade well.
Image of Agapanthus praecox; Source: www.bressinghamgardens.com
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_Agapanthus praecox_ 'White' has white flowering and is smaller than the blue-flowered Agapanthus praecox. Reaching 40/60 cm in height by 40/60 in width. It also tolerates light shade.
Image of Agapanthus praecox 'White'. Source: © Guillem Morral
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_Agapanthus_ 'Queen Mum'® is an Agapanthus with very spectacular flowering in terms of size, it is bicolored, with predominantly white flowers and a blue base. It measures approximately 40/60 centimeters in height by 40/60 centimeters in width. It prefers sun but tolerates partial shade.
Image of Agapanthus 'Queen Mum' ; Source: www.onlineplants.com
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_Agapanthus_ 'Sra. Maria' has white flowering. Small Agapanthus measuring 30/45 centimeters in height by 20/30 in width. It prefers to be planted in full sun.
Image of Agapanthus 'Sra. Maria' ; Source: © Guillem Morral
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_Agapanthus_ 'Silver Baby' has very light blue flowering. It is the lightest blue of all Agapanthus. Its dimensions are also small, about 30/45 centimeters in height by 20/30 in width. It prefers to be planted in full sun.
Image of Agapanthus 'Silver Baby'; Source: © Guillem Morral
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_Agapanthus_ 'Streamline' has very intense blue flowering. It is from the small Agapanthus range, reaching 30/45 centimeters in height by 20/30 in width. Preferably locate in full sun.
Image of Agapanthus 'Streamline' ; Source: © Guillem Morral
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_Agapanthus_ 'Tinkerbell' also has bluish flowering, but not as intense as Agapanthus 'Streamline'. It is the specimen that tolerates cold the least, and belongs to hardiness zone number 9, withstanding frosts down to -6°C. Its dimensions are 30/40 centimeters in height by 20/30 in width. It prefers sun but tolerates partial shade.
Image of Agapanthus 'Tinkerbell' ; Source: © Guillem Morral
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_Agapanthus_ 'White Ice' has white flowers. It is a small Agapanthus measuring 30/40 centimeters in height by 20/30 centimeters in width. Plant it preferably in full sun.
Image of Agapanthus 'White Ice' ; Source: © Guillem Morral
For all small Agapanthus specimens we recommend using a planting density of about 4 or 5 specimens per square meter, and for the larger specimens, such as Agapanthus praecox, Agapanthus praecox 'White' and Agapanthus 'Queen Mum' we recommend a planting density of about 3 or 4 specimens per square meter.
These are undoubtedly plants that give very good results in sustainable gardens and we encourage you to try them.