Agapanthus in pots

Morning all,
Last year we bought a couple of agapanthus and put them in pots either side of our garden bench, however they didn’t flower for some reason? (Heard this can be normal first year?)
What would you do with them now as winter is approaching? Leave them as they are, cut them back??
Cheers all.

 

Do you know if they are the hardy types, as some can be tender and evergreen.
I wouldn't cut them back, the frost will do that for you.

 

It can depend where you are, and how exposed the plants are.
I live in Kent, and have agapanthus both in the ground and in pots (terracotta, not plastic).
The ones in the ground will flop naturally, and look as though they are dead, especially if it's frosty and wet. I've always had them revive late spring.
The ones in pots will need raising up off the ground, in order to allow drainage. They could do with wrapping in fleece, to protect the rootball. But leave the top open.

 

If they are deciduous ones (which are hardier than the evergreens) the leaves will be turning yellow and dying back sometime soon and new leaves will grow in the spring.

 

I will leave them and see what happens with the leaves over the next few weeks.
Is it normal for them not to flower in the first year though?
Thanks all.

 

Agapanthus can be temperamental about flowering and take a year or two to settle down. They don't need to be pot bound to flower, but need to be comfortable where they are.
As said above don't let them get waterlogged over winter and don't let the roots freeze.

 

They like dry winters and wet summers, plus lots of sun.

It depends where you are in the country. Down here, they manage unprotected as long as they have shelter from the rain. Mine are under an overhang against a wall on patio slabs. They've survived for 20+ yrs so far.

 

Hi , when repotted they rarely re flower for 12 months. I grow a lot of agapanthus in pots and all get fed a liquid tomato feed once a week from April to end of July ..

This will help to flower the following year.. all my pots go in the greenhouse over winter covered in fleece .. plus I let the pots dry out …. The ones I have growing outside I buy a bag of bark and they get a good tucked up in bed look all covered over ..

hope that helps

Spruce

 

Thanks for the reply.
Sadly we don’t have a “proper” greenhouse, we just bought a cheap plastic lean to one this year, for growing some seeds (dahlias and cosmos) which did its job.
Do you think I should put the pots in there? And if so, what time would be best?
Also, you just leave them to dry out in there, never water?
Cheers.

 

You don’t mention where you live which has quite a bearing on how best to treat Agapanthus over winter. Also there is a considerable difference in hardiness between the evergreen and deciduous varieties. Looking at your photo it would suggest your variety is evergreen and if so then much more tender.
I grow various varieties and living in Scotland ( not renowned for the kindest winters!) all of mine are stored in an unheated greenhouse over winter, consequently they are in huge pots.
All are stored in the greenhouse until about May of the following year. Mine do not get any watering whatsoever between now and next spring. I have had all of them for over 15 years so must be doing something right.
As with so many plants, it is not cold that kills ( temperatures in my greenhouse go below freezing) it is winter wet.
If your lean to does not blow away then that sounds a good idea, if deciduous then the Agapanthus could be stored in a shed/ room with no real light requirement. Evergreen varieties do need a bit of light while being stored.
If yours are deciduous then they will loose their leaves shortly. If evergreen, I have never cut mine back, they tend to lose a few leaves come the spring naturally. Even when I have split them I have not cut back the leaves and all sections have survived.

 

I agree with @hailbopp re the wet cold for them. I can't keep them [the evergreen ones] alive here unless they're overwintered undercover.

 

We are on the North Yorkshire coast, Scarborough to be precise.
I will probably place them in the plastic greenhouse over winter, and not water them, see how they go.
Thanks for the tips.

 

Hi in the plastic greenhouse will be fine do that now , check the pots for slugs any weeds etc .. buy some gardening fleece for when we have minus temperatures .. I wont water mine until end of February/ March ,, those huge roots hold lots of water …. And no trimming the leaves just remove the old yellow and I pull mine off rather than trim