Saturday, June 6, 2020 | A2 Agapanthus can

PIXABAY.COM Agapanthus can often be confused with amaryllis bel- help any landscape ladona, seen here.

For agapanthus grown in the ground, it is not necessary to divide the plant regularly. However, removing faded blossoms from the stem will en- Debby Finley courage new growth and Ask a Master Gardener prevent the plant from wasting energy on seed uestion: We are production. landscaping our The most common yard and plan variety is Agapanthus Q to include ag- orientalis, an evergreen apanthus. Is that a good plant that produces wide, choice? arching leaves and stems Answer: A good land- that reach heights of 4-5 scaping choice, the Aga- feet. Varieties include panthus genus consists of white owering types seven species, sometimes such as Albus and blue called Lily of the Nile or varieties like Blue Ice. African lily. Agapanthus africanus Native to the dry is an evergreen variety outcroppings or moist that displays narrow mountain meadows of leaves, deep blue owers South Africa, they prefer with distinctive bluish full sun, minimal water- anthers, and stalks reach

ing when established, PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH CAROLINA UNIVERSITY heights of no more than and well-draining soils. Agapanthus, often confused with daylilies and amaryllis, is a good landscaping choice. It requires full sun, minimal 18 inches. Avoid planting in the watering and well-draining soil. They make good border plants are also work well in containers. Agapanthus ower shade as they won’t ow- globes make excellent cut er as much. They love a are more tolerant of cold Agapanthus excel in amaryllis family before owering, so the stems owers by themselves or regular dose of fertilizer than others. USDA Plant Hardiness landing in its own fami- are bare when owers mixed with other sum- to keep the blooms going It is a good border plant Zones 8 to 10, Roseburg ly: Agapanthacae. are produced; hence the mer blooms, and will all season long. and suitable for contain- being 8b and 9a Zones. Agapanthus are con- nickname. attract foraging bees Agapanthus oers ever- ers. Plant in the spring, Agapanthus has run sidered sisters to the Agapanthus is a tough and butter ies to your green or semi-evergreen from the end of March into some uncertainty familiar holiday Ama- survivor in the face of garden. leaves in winter, delight- into April. Most garden- as to its classication ryllis and the Amaryllis chronic drought and is ing us with inky blue, ers report that their aga- among plants. Although belladonna, known as a popular perennial that Do you have a gardening pale sapphire, purple or panthus plants are rarely it looks similar to the the belladonna lily or grows and spreads from question? Contact white blooms reaching eaten by deer and as a daylily, it is not a lily. naked lady. This delight- eshy, bulb-like rhi- the Douglas County several inches across for a rule Agapanthus species Originally placed in the ful plant develops clus- zomes, similar to day- Master Gardeners at long period, mid-summer are pest-hardy, neither lily family, agapanthus ters of trumpet-shaped, lilies. A type of storage ask.extension.org/ask. to early autumn. Decidu- being much attacked nor was then shifted to the aromatic pink owers root, rhizomes retain nu- Presently, the plant clinic ous types that lose their drastically aected by amaryllis family, then appearing on 30-inch trients within their roots is closed until further leaves are the toughest, garden pests, except for moved to the onion stalks in late summer. and can be easily divided notice due to public safety hardiest agapanthus and snails. family, then back to the The leaves emerge after to create more plants. orders.