Agapanthus theory and practice

The bulbs of the African lily the Agapanthus (Liliaceae) requires a planting position in full sun; if the bulb is to mature and produce those striking architectural balls of flowers on long slender stems high above their clumps of rather strap like leaves. Those leaves of the plant can look insignificant beneath the showy blooms and are often best hidden if the Agapanthus is to be planted within a mixed border: whilst in a contemporary planting scheme a grouping of the bulbs emphasises the form of the plant. 

Though the Agapanthus demands sun light it also needs a richer soil than we have here in north eastern Spain, the addition or organic matter will be a requirement. Pam down in the Costa De Luz wondered whether the bulbs might benefit from being placed in the shade though I think, as I said earlier, that the bulbs need sunlight to mature. 

Some forms of Agapanthus are frost hardy and generally the narrower the leaves the tougher the plant. Here we have cold dry winters and have managed to get our Canna Lily plants through successive winters with a layer of mulch for protection. (We recorded temperatures down to -12C couple of years ago!)  Reading garden blogs from round the world it is apparent that many gardeners go through an Agapanthus stage; and although many people grow them successfully they also seem to tire of the bulbs as planting fashions change, though that is equally true of other garden plants.

 In our young Mediterranean garden we have planted only a couple of small Agapanthus but will propagate others in future years by dividing the crowns. Division is the method of choice if you want your young plants to come true to type, whilst hybrid seed will of course produce plants which vary from the parent plants.

  

 I took this photograph of Agapanthus in a garden centre to remind me of how well a group of the bulbs could work. Down in nearby Figueres city centre a roundabout has been planted with a host of Agapanthus bulbs though the flowers had passed before I found them. It will be interesting to see how the civic gardeners deal with the faded plants whether or not this is to be a permanent display or just a seasonal highlight. 

It is claimed that the Agapanthus bulb is tolerant of atmospheric pollution; and given the smoke filled sky that tonight signals the beginnings of the local wildfire season that may be a desirable quality to have.

Yucca flowers

Agapanthus

Photina - Pretty as a picture!

Photina Red Robin is looking its best at the moment the exuberance of that glossy red foliage is complemented by the delicate sprays of its white flowers. Older leaves turn bright green but the plant will continue to sprout young red foliage if lightly pruned to shape.

Over planting of the Photina in municipal displays led to a fall in popularity in some quarters , though it seems to be an ever present in the garden nursery. Either as a specimen or as part of a shrubbery  if you have the space and the conditions then the Photina will light up your garden. 

Unblemished

The lily is one of Carol's favourite flowers and therefore always welcome in any bouquet that she receives. The pollen from the lily though can be problematic if it comes into contact with any clothing or furnishings. The usual advice for lily recipients is to cut away the flowers sexual parts which whilst it does prevent the pollen stains also removes much of the plants impact. If you do manage to contaminate your clothing or furnishings with the pollen do not rub with a damp cloth which will make matters much worse; instead use adhesive tape to lift away the pollen from the affected article.

Aquilegia - white

Hawthorn blossom

White flowers are one of the hardest to photograph in the garden because the camera exposure meter is designed to measure an average mid tone and therefore under exposes the flower. A way round the problem is to take the exposure reading from the back of your hand and set the exposure on the camera to that reading.

Crown of Thorns

Hawthorn and Blackthorn are two of the spring's heralds, once they bloom you can be sure that 'primivera' has arrived.

This photograph is of a hawthorn which suffered badly in last years drought though now looks to be fully recovered.

Often used as a hedging plant it also makes an excellent tree, the pink form being particularly striking.