Skip to main contentAgapanthus
- Most agapanthus are drought tolerant and are a good choice for coastal areas, coping well with wind and salty air
- Plant in a well-drained soil which has plenty of sun
- Be patient as it may take 2-3 years for the plants to establish before flowering takes off
- Mulch in autumn or cover during cold spells to protect the young shoots
- If the clumps become too big, lift them and split every 4-5 years
- If you are planting your agapanthus in a pot, move to a sheltered position during the winter period, so that the roots are protected from frost
- Plants will flower well in pots if the roots are constricted. They should be split and replanted in fresh compost if the roots become congested, otherwise flowering may suffer
Crinum
- Crinum originate from South Africa & flower dark pink & white in colour
- Plant the bulb under the ground, leaving the neck above ground & 45cm of space between bulbs
- They require a sunny location & should be protected from frost
- Crinum is one of the late-flowering bulbs & is usually best grown in pots as a solitary plant
Nerines
- Nerines are a classic border plant that flowers around October time
- They have sturdy leafless stems & lily-like pink blooms
- Plant in a sunny position in free-draining soil
- Make sure when planting that the pointed tip appears just above the surface
- Nerines thrive when clumps become congested, making them well suited to growing in containers
Crocosmia
- Crocosmia originate in South Africa & flower orange & red in colour
- They require a lot of light & can be used in borders & beds
- Crocosmia produce several flowers per spike. Leave around 10cm space between bulbs
- If planted in autumn, covering is necessary for the first year
Eucomis
- Eucomis originate in South Africa & flower yellow, green & white in colour
- When planting, cover the base of the bulb with a thin layer of soil & space bulbs out by 15cm
- The flowers produce a lot of nectar so are good for attracting bees to your garden
- These make ideal border plants, but can also be grown in pots. You should ensure the pot is large enough & also deep enough with holes for effective drainage
Hymenocallis
- These originate in Peru & flower white & yellow in colour
- Plant the bulb just under ground level & keep the neck just above the surface. Keep 20cm between bulbs
- They require a sheltered & sunny spot
- The flowers of the Hymenocallis look like a daffodil flower. There are no leaves on the stem & the flowers are fragrant
- Hymenocallis are suited to growing outside in a sunny spot, most often used in pots & containers
Ixia
- Ixia originate in South Africa & flower in various colours
- They require a sunny location & have an average plant height of 30-45cm
- Ixia are excellent as a cut flower & can be used in borders & beds
- They have sword-shaped leaves & long stems with star-shaped flowers
Liatris
- Liatris originate in North America & flower purple & white in colour
- They require a sunny location & have an average plant height of 75cm
- When planting, leave 15-20cm of space between each bulb
- Liatris likes a moist, but well-drained soil