Rachel's Journal

Last Post 21 hours ago

Agapanthus & Dahlia

26 May 2010 23:55:18

Agapanthus & Dahlia

Dick mentioned how he received plants in the post today. Well, he was not the only one.

I also got an excitiing package from Jurgita and inside was a whopping great big Agapanthus! Thank you so much, Jurgita. It is all potted up and in the greenhouse now.

My relationship with Agapanthus had turned a little sour since the beginning of the year. I adore the flowers and decided last year to get lots. I did this in two ways - 1) I sowed seed and ended up with about 20 healthy little plants last autumn and 2) I bought Lidl roots last spring for a little over a euro each and potted up and grew about 10 of them which I then planted out.

Last winter I lost all my Agapanthus from seed in the greenhouse and, I assumed I had also lost all the Lidl roots as I had left them unprotected in the ground. This spring I did notice some odd looking little plants with strap-like leaves but couldn't think what they were. I have now come to realise that they are my Lidl Agapanthus roots and they have come back, despite being unprotected all winter!!! So sorry, Jurgita, if I have received an Agapathus from you under false pretences : )

By the way, I have noticed a number of my Dahlias coming back too. They were all unprotected last winter but some of them must be tougher than we think.

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MartinB 26 May 2010 23:58:09

Hi Rachel, so you are still up, is it not about time we headed down. Good luck with your agapanthus and stuff and good night :-)

Rachel 27 May 2010 00:33:44

Do you mean up? You're not going down to your Grindle at this time of night I hope : )

HeadGardener 27 May 2010 00:36:17

All three of my agapanthus survived outside with a little straw and fleece protection, however only one flowered last year, I'm going to wait and see this year but I've heard the like a little root constriction and no feeding to flower so maybe thats it.

MartinB 27 May 2010 08:14:02

Morning Rachel, we live in a bungalow so we go 'down ' the hallway to sleep :-)

Lìga 27 May 2010 08:19:55

I have only one agapanthys,and it was in pot,in greenhouse all winter,too under garden fleece,it too alive.

Clara 27 May 2010 09:58:28

I seem to be lucky with mine and they have been moved a few times this year they love being in a tight spot well that is what I do , When I go to Kerry this year I will get you a big one as it is a very old one in my sisters summer house

LindaB 27 May 2010 11:39:08

My 3 Agapanthus survived unprotected in the ground, they actually look healthier now than they did last year. Hope they flower this year!

BarbaraAnn 27 May 2010 13:36:51

I have a fair few Agapanthus and they all seem to have survived. I also have the one you gave me Rachel, safe in the green house, so some of your seeds survived. I hope this doesn't sound ungrateful, but as you grew it from seed You can have it if you wish. It really is your "baby".

Liz.M 27 May 2010 19:44:16

I have 2 agapanthus in pots, which I left in the greenhouse during the Winter, they both look healthy at the moment. They both were in flower when I bought them, but only 1 flowered last year. I'm a bit like everyone I guess, just hoping and waiting to see what happens... I also overwintered some seedlings in the greenhouse (about 7), so am chuffed they survived - lovely plants and beautiful flowers to look forward to - hopefully! This one is a beauty Rachel!

Rachel 27 May 2010 22:23:45

It would seem that Agapanthus are actually hardier than we think. This is great news.

Clare, you are really terribly kind. I don't know how many plant gifts I have had from you now at this stage. But, please, I could not possibly accept anything more from you until you will accept something from me : )

Rachel 27 May 2010 22:25:13

Barbara, thank you very much for your kind offer but I do not want to be a 'Greek bearing gifts' (no offence to any Greeks). If it flowers this year, please put up a photo!

Clara 27 May 2010 22:29:49

Rachel if I go to Kerry my sister is only to delighted for me to take away something that will be of use to someone else as she lives in New Orleans and only comes home in June to September, so dont worry it is a pleasure to share it, it is very old and so healthy.

Drumanagh 28 May 2010 20:07:43

I think the unidentified bulbs I put in my journal before may be agapanthus. It was suggested they were alliums but I'm guessing they would have flowered by now if they were alliums?

Rachel 28 May 2010 23:41:41

Alison, I've just been back through your journals but couldn't find a photo of the unidentified bulbs - just the suspected lily of the valley. Where is it?

Lìga 28 May 2010 23:45:12

Look at march entrys,Rachel,18th...i think.

Rachel 29 May 2010 10:12:29

Had a look at your photo, Alison, and can't say yey or ney!

Drumanagh 31 May 2010 19:41:08

Sorry Rachel I was away at a wedding for the weekend. If I had to bet I'd put my money on Agapanthus - all will be revealed over the summer!