How to Grow Lily-of-the-Nile (Agapanthus)

Lily-of-the-Nile is a perennial with strappy leaves and tall, elegant flower stems with clusters of blue or white lilylike flowers at the top.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Bypass Pruners
• Compost Makers
• Fertilizers
• Hand Cultivators
• Mulch
• Plants
• Seeds

Caring for Lily-of-the-Nile

1. Remove old foliage in spring, using bypass pruners to cut off the old stems.

2. Apply a light application of organic fertilizer on top of the soil in early spring (follow package directions).

3. Mulch around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost in spring.

4. Water well weekly until soil is completely moist in summers with no rainfall.

Planting Lily-of-the-Nile

1. Plant lily-of-the-Nile in full sun in well-drained soil, and in a protected place, such as up against a south-facing wall.

2. Add a light application of organic fertilizer to the planting hole.

3. Place the plants no deeper than they were growing in the containers.

4. Set the plants 1 foot apart.

5. 

   Mulch around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost.

6. 

   Water well until soil is completely moist.

Choosing Lily-of-the-Nile

1. Look for plants at nurseries in spring through fall.

2. Buy lily-of-the-Nile in 6-inch to 1-gallon containers.

3. Choose healthy-looking plants with signs of new growth in leaves and flower buds.