Leave the foliage uncut as this provides additional winter protection. Agapanthus grow and spread by fleshy rhizomes and are a type of storage root, meaning they can retain nutrients within their roots and be easily divided to create more plants. These sway on tall stems above clumps of strappy foliage. Agapanthus, a popular perennial that grows from a bulb-like rhizome, is a tough survivor in the face of chronic drought. Agapanthus is a genus of herbaceous perennials that mostly bloom in summer. If you water them at night they sometimes get a white powdery residue on the leaves near the base and the leaves get a bit distorted go yellow and die. Therefore, they have made themselves at home in warmer areas of the… - Plants by Mail Agapanthus is a flowering herb with blue or white flowers that originates from South Africa. Thoroughly water and apply a light mulch layer on top of the soil (1-2 inches) to conserve water and reduce weeds. Although the agapanthus species will generally cope well in extended heat waves and droughts, the leaves and flowers may be burnt when temperatures exceed 40°. If you dig the plants up, you’ll find the roots or bulb decayed and discolored. The leaves give an energy charge to the bulb through photosynthesis and for this they need to keep their leaves! My agapanthus leaves are also yellowing and are in bud, so I will follow advice and give them a liquid feed - probably tomato feed. She edited a weekly home-and-garden tabloid for her hometown newspaper and has regularly contributed to weekly and daily newspapers, as well as "Law and Order" magazine. Most bloom in late spring and continue blooming until fall, with spidery blooms attracting butterflies and bees in white to a nearly black shade of dark blue, depending on the cultivar. Leave a shallow pan of beer to attract slugs, which drown in the liquid. Snails love to shelter in the leaves of agapanthus plants. The plant is easy to care for and often disease free, but some agapanthus problems can be devastating. Lay a board nearby and lift it each morning to dispose of slugs and snails sleeping under it. 0. The commonly grown agapanthus form clumps up to a metre across and plants in flower can be a metre or more tall. The only thing you can do is discard it to prevent the disease from spreading to other plants. Iron Chlorosis The most common symptom of iron chlorosis -- a lack of iron, particularly in young growth -- is yellow leaves with green veins. Rashes caused by agapanthus are typically not life threatening and are more of an annoyance than anything else. Hostafan1 Posts: 26,165. The inflorescence is a spike of 50-75 cm, up … Always wear gloves, long sleeves, and goggles when cutting agapanthus stems. Others attack their arching green leaves or rot their roots or bulbs. I feed mine with tomato feed , weak, but at every watering during the summer. Tall stems tower above, bearing heads of bell-shaped or tubular flowers, in shades of blue, purple or white. Text: JOIN (256) 596-8469 for exclusive discounts! In the garden. augment. Contact with the plant's sap can cause skin and eye irritation, as well as severe mouth pain if eaten. It will liven up a Florida-Friendly landscape by attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators. Sun Scald. The first order of business when dealing with agapanthus diseases is self-protection. Normally free of significant problems, agapanthus may occasionally suffer from insects, infections or cultural difficulties. Agapanthus have fleshy roots and leaves and this can make them prone to frost damage. minimus. Agapanthus, also called Lily of the Nile, is an attractive flowering perennial native to southern Africa. Agapanthus - often called Lily of the Nile - heralds spring in South Florida with blue flowers that sway above this handsome plant. Anthracnose is another of the agapanthus diseases that spreads through water. On a warm autumn day and before the first frosts, cover the crowns of the hardy deciduous agapanthus with straw, to protect over winter. In some countries, and even in the UK’s Isles of Scilly, it can “go wild” and become a nuisance. The mold needs standing water to grow, so prevent it by watering your agapanthus from below and spacing your plants to allow for good air circulation. Free Shipping on all gifts and orders over $30! Fertilize with half-strength, water-soluble plant food in mid-summer; too much fertilizer can cause the foliage to fade or appear burned. 30cm apart and with crowns 5cm (2in) below the ground. Plants for Gardens That Look to the Southwest, San Francisco Botanical Garden: Lily of the Nile -- Agapanthus, Sonoma County Master Gardeners: Monthly Gardening Questions -- Agapanthus, Missouri Botanical Garden: Agapanthus (Group), Missouri Botanical Garden: Problems Associated with Agapanthus Africanus, Missouri Botanical Garden: Common Garden Pests and Problems. They feed only on decaying plant matter (like rotting leaves and such). June 2018. Cesar Calderon, Cesar Calderon Pathology Collection, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org, Companion Planting With Agapanthus: Good Companion Plants For Agapanthus, When To Fertilize Agapanthus – Tips On Fertilizing Agapanthus Plants, Agapanthus Winter Care: Care Of Agapanthus Plants In Winter, DIY Christmas Bows: How To Make A Holiday Bow For Plant Crafts, Paper Poinsettia Craft Ideas – How To Make Christmas Flowers, DIY Pinecone Christmas Tree: How To Make A Christmas Tree With Pinecones, Gardening Without Water – How To Garden In A Drought, Propagating Ajuga Plants – How To Propagate Bugleweed Plants, Underground Greenhouse Ideas: What Are Pit Greenhouses, What Are Garden Gnomes: Uses For Garden Gnomes In The Landscape, Evergreen Favorite: Container Grown Olive Trees, Evergreens In My Heart – Three Must Have Evergreen Trees, Decisions, Decisions: Choosing An Evergreen In The Landscape, Spruce Trees For Landscaping - Spruce It Up With Evergreens. The leaves are short, narrow, thin and with wavy edges, exposing the white leaf base and the many shrivelled old leaves which used to be hidden by the newer foliage. Powdery mildew may form after a period of cool nights and warm days in spring or fall, but does little harm. Bulb rot and root rot are both agapanthus problems that start underground. The fungus Macrophoma agapanthus may attack agapanthus's foliage, causing the leaves to die back. Thank you for reporting this comment. Get rid of the fungus with a fungicide containing mancozeb or captab. Agapanthus (the African lily) is an architectural, summer-flowering perennial with glossy, strap-like leaves and tall umbels of showy, funnel-shaped blooms that are good for cutting. Agapanthus can be used as a border plant, in a mixed bed of perennials or in a container. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. These dramatic sun-loving border plants produce large spherical flowerheads, usually in beautiful shades of blue, from midsummer onwards. Mealybugs, gnats, spider mites and thrips are the main culprits. Agapanthus are susceptible to fungal attack. Seal the roots in a plastic bag and throw it and the foliage away. For smaller areas, and for pots, there are dwarf and miniature agapanthus varieties that only grow to 45cm high in flower. Read on to learn more about when and how to prune agapanthus plants. If you already have mold, remove the affected parts of the plant and spray the healthy parts thoroughly with neem oil. Water the plants at soil level rather than sprinkling overhead. Blooming continuously for months in a delicate combination of lavender, cream and buttery yellow, the blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Trimming agapanthus plants is an easy task that keeps this perennial bloomer from becoming shaggy and overgrown. Agapanthus growing in containers needs to be somewhat potbound to produce the best flowers. The leaves are basal, curved, and linear, growing up to 60 cm (24 in) long. Some tender, evergreen agapanthus may survive winter, but it’s best to move them indoors in case of severe winter weather. Agapanthus are easy to propagate by division - between spring and early summer, or in early fall, after plants have finished flowering. Agapanthus grow best in well-drained soil, in a sunny site that receives sun for most of the day. These are year round beauties for their strappy leaves in a glossy deep green. First, cut off the foliage at ground level and seal it in in a plastic bag. However, if the roots are protruding from the base of the pot or the plant seems to need watering much more often, it is probably too potbound for good health and flowering. Fortunately they don’t cause much damage to the plants and are best dealt with by picking them off by hand when you spot them. And the spring flowers that pop up in a balled cluster add a … Diseases affecting agapanthus are often brought about by overwatering and too much moisture. The name Agapanthus translates as ‘the flower of love’, from the Greek ‘agap’ (love) … Botrytis blight normally infects outdoor plants, causing deformed flowers. Keep reading to learn more about agapanthus diseases and treating diseases of agapanthus plants. Dig around the roots and lift them out of the ground, removing as much of the soil around them as you can. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. This large group of plants features long, grass-like foliage and funnel-shaped umbels of flowers that appear on stalks taller than the leaves. Bulb rot and root rot are both agapanthus problems that start underground. Letting the soil dry out and treating the flowerbed with a barrier of diatomaceous earth or strips of copper can help. Cover the spot with a heavy layer of mulch – this will keep the sun away from any remaining roots and kill them. praecox, subsp. It causes yellow or brown leaf spotting and eventual drop, and can be treated in the same way as gray mold. You may not expect water to bother Agapanthus plants (Agapanthus spp.) Agapanthus wilting. Both leaves and leaf stalks are covered in rubbery red prickles. When agapanthus doesn't get enough sunlight outdoors, it can develop powdery mildew, a fungal infection that makes the leaves look like they've been dusted with baby powder. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Thin Agapanthus. Should I Trim Agapanthus? Press soil down firmly with your hand. Agapanthus (Agapanthus spp.) Agapanthus is tolerant of drought and prefers full sun to partial shade in the garden. Fungicides treat either disease. Agapanthus has a toxic sap that can irritate the skin. Only water at times when the leaves have time to dry out by nightfall. A large perennial herb up to 2 m. Massive, rough and wrinkled umbrella-sized leaves (80 cm x 1 m) on sturdy stalks have 5-7 lobes and raised veins beneath. are very popular strappy leaved plant in Australia, not only for their lovely luscious light green leaves, but for their tall floral displays in summer.There are many varieties available, from white, mauve, blue, pink and even black. Be sure to visit our shop and browse our collection of agapanthus plants! The agapanthus plant's container or flowerbed needs good drainage so the soil around the roots is moist, but not wet. Too much water can overwhelm the roots, leading to root rot. It can be recognized by its 6-20 leaves per individual plant. Most can be washed off the agapanthus with a strong spray of water. A Hambidge Fellow, Lynn studied English at Columbus State University. Yellow leaf tips indicate overwatering or waterlogged soil. Agapanthus is the signature plant in our coastal garden and deservedly so. Sign up for our newsletter. Agapanthus, commonly called Lily of the Nile, forms a large clump of strap-like leaves. I usually only water this one 2x a week, when it feels dry and much lighter! Spacing. Agapanthus praecox, one of the evergreens, is an extremely variable species consisting of three subspecies: subsp. The resulting browning off may be a little ugly but the plants will recover. Symptoms include dead-tipped, lighter green olive leaves in the middle of the plant. For a heavy infestation, horticultural oil or insecticidal soap is sprayed after washing as many insects off as possible. The plant spreads by sending out rhizomes and clumps need dividing every two or three years. Gray mold is an unsightly fungus that spreads on dying blossoms. Ideal for pots and borders, they flower from July to September in shades that range from dark violet to blue and pure white. The ovate, toothed, wrinkled leaves are aromatic (pungent scent) when bruised. Undo. Like Save March 15, 2005 at 4:46AM. Most agapanthus are hardy and their leaves die down in winter. They are rather leathery and arranged in two opposite rows. Agapanthus takes readily to life in a container and grows well both outdoors and as a houseplant, as long as it has well-drained soil mixed with organic matter such as compost or leaf mold. We grow Agapanthus africanus, the largest of the family, hailing from the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. These leaves are strap-like and may be leathery or flaccid, narrow or broad, short or long and have blunt or pointed tips. Damage from herbicide sprays that drift onto the agapanthus foliage includes curling, cupped leaves and brown or dead spots on the leaves. Its strap-like leaves make an excellent ground cover and its conspicuous flowers bloom all summer long. Evergreen forms are more tender and usually need the shelter of a greenhouse from early winter to spring. To add insult to this permanent injury, the perpetual debilitation sends the agapanthus leaves, once seemingly bullet proof on even the hottest days, into melt down. These smaller varieties are also a … leaf spots and a gray mold. Agapanthus can bring fresh shape to your cut flower garden. They show themselves above ground in yellow, wilted leaves and sometimes stunted plants. The plant has a mostly underground stem called a rhizome (like a ginger 'root') that is used as a storage organ. Great for border plantings, in fire prone areas or to soften some harsh edging in the garden. Their strappy evergreen or semi-evergreen leaves provide winter presence while blue or white flowers add a charge of mid to late summer color. warday February 13, 2005. Several insects may attack agapanthus indoors or out, sucking vital plant juices from foliage and tender new growth. because they're commonly known as lilies-of-the-Nile, but prolonged wet conditions expose them to several fungal diseases.One of those diseases transforms their globes of flowers into balls of fuzz. Slugs and snails may occasionally bother agapanthus plants, generally feeding at night and often appearing when the soil is moist. Additionally, regular agapanthus pruning can discourage rambunctious plants from becoming overly weedy and invasive. Remove agapanthus plants infected with botrytis and destroy them. Depending on the species or cultivar, agapanthus grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 11. This fungus can be treated by spraying the entire plant with fungicide. Agapanthus look great when planted with drifts of ornamental grasses, sun-loving rudbeckias and goldenrod ( Solidago ). Remove plant debris in the garden to prevent botrytis and powdery mildew. On heavy soils, mix in grit when planting. Well I think theres a slight chance I could be overwatering them, although none of the other leaves show any symptoms. If you dig the plants up, you’ll find the roots or bulb decayed and discolored. They show themselves above ground in yellow, wilted leaves and sometimes stunted plants. When agapanthus doesn't get enough sunlight outdoors, it can develop powdery mildew, a fungal infection that makes the leaves look like they've been dusted with baby powder. Agapanthus, also known as Lily of the Nile, are iconic blooming perennials with gorgeous globular bloom clusters. Agapanthus, also known as African lily or Lily of the Nile, actually hails from near the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, nowhere near the Nile River. Agapanthus is an easy grower but, like all plants, it is susceptible to environmental problems, and a few pests that can turn the foliage yellow. If one of your plants is infected with root or bulb rot, it can’t be saved. How to grow agapanthus. The name “Agapanthus” is Greek in origin, and translates roughly to “love flower.” The plant itself, however, originates from Southern African. Agapanthus have long, fleshy leaves that form dense clumps of evergreen or deciduous foliage (choose evergreen forms for all-year action). Gardeners have dozens of hybrids and species to choose from, including dwarf plants that only grow about 8 inches tall and shrub-like plants reaching 4 feet tall. Agapanthus is best repotted in the spring, moving it to a container 1 inch larger than its current home, in fresh growing medium with a high organic content or plenty of rich, rotted compost mixed into the soil. If this occurs frequently relocate the plants to a shady area. Remove the foliage when it withers and dies back. Water the agapanthus to a depth of 12 inches the day before dividing. 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