Agapanthus 'Amourette® Superb Blue'

Spring · Outdoors

Apply an organic mulch

Apply a 5-10cm layer of organic mulch around the plant in spring to reduce weeds, retain moisture and keep roots cool in summer. Leave a 10cm gap between the stem and the mulch to prevent stem rot. Before applying mulch, clear the area of weeds and water if it hasn't rained recently. Use biodegradable material such as garden compost, well-rotted manure, leaf mould or bark chippings as mulch.

A mulch is a covering that can: protect the soil surface from rain, heat and cold; deter weeds; provide nutrients. Organic indicates that material has vegetative origin e.g. manure, compost. Synthetics i.e. plastics, or stones are often called mulches.

Spring-Autumn · Outdoors

Water during drought

In drought conditions where established plants in the ground have had no water for a month, do a deep watering. If drought continues repeat after a fortnight. Plants only need watering during spring to autumn growth. Check plants in pots more often.

Established plants have a good degree of drought tolerance. Water after a prolonged period of drought. Many drought tolerant plants can rapidly revive, even when much of the foliage has died. They will respond with new growth.

Spring · Planting

Divide when too large

The plant can be divided in alternate years. Clumps may be divided into two or more pieces. Rhizomes can be cut whilst small bulbs or offsets are detached. The new plants can be grown in a container or planted in the ground.

Summer - early · Outdoors

Apply slow release fertiliser

Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)

This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.