I was amazed when lots of buds suddenly popped up in the border by the driveway. I was delighted when they turned out to be buds of Agapanthus which I had bought many years ago and were being rather slow to multiply. All the books say that they like to have their roots restricted and are therefore good in pots. Maybe their neighbours have now grown to such an extent that their roots are restricting the roots of the Agapanthus, but , whatever the reason, this year, they have never been so good.
I do love blue flowers, but, I think I need maybe some yellow or white next to them, what do you think?
or even bright orange?
Beautiful colour.
I will certainly buy some more bulbs, which will include some white ones, to finish the border down the whole length. I was hoping my yellow crocosmia would flower at the same time, but every year it is always over too soon. I have a yellow kniphophia just starting to flower, so maybe another one to keep the Agapanthus company would be good or some yellow or white dahlias which would then flower through to the frosts, decisions to be made over the winter!
Pauline, they’re fabulous. Whatever you choose for companions will surely be lovely. I have been thinking of you the past few weeks and hope you’re finding joy and comfort in your garden. It always is such an inspiration to see what is blooming for you.
Thank you so much Susie for your kind thoughts, I am getting a lot of benefit from working and relaxing in the garden, I have a lovely little sitting area which I feel is very peaceful.
Hi Pauline, What sweet, delicate blooms! I especially love the partially opened flowers.
There’s something so bright and eye catching about blue and yellow….however, they can compete for attention….do you want to highlight the Agapanthus or make it part of the gang?
They really do have stunning flowers Sally and in such a lovely deep blue. I hadn’t really thought whether I want the agapanthus to be the star or just part of the border with everything else, I think they deserve to be the star!
A beautiful blue gift from your garden. Whatever companions you choose will make them pop even more. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you so much Peter for thinking of me, I do appreciate it.
They deserve some nice companions to set them off amongst all the greenery, there is so much choice!
They are lovely Pauline! Beautiful alone, but I could imagine some Crocosmia might go well with them… 😉
Thanks Cathy, I did plant a lovely yellow crocosmia but it always finishes flowering before the agapanthus starts, maybe I ought to just introduce the common orange one that is everywhere else in the garden!
Beautiful! Such a nice surprise. I like your idea to find a contrast to go with them. I think Dahlias are a good idea, as you point out, they’ll also continue up until frost.
I like the idea of dahlias Alison, as then I would get lots more flowers for the rest of the summer and autumn, I’ll have to get the catalogues out and decide which ones to choose.
I bet you were thrilled suddenly seeing them, gorgeous flowers, lucky you. I think yellow or white plants would suit them.xxx
This year there are so many flowers Dina, compared to previous years, it pays to be patient! I agree, they deserve something pale to set them off.
They are lovely and I agree with you – a pop of yellow would bring out the blue and a yellow kniphophia would be a contrasting shape as well – but enjoy them this year as they are. I have some strappy leaves but no flower. I’m so glad you are able to find time for your garden
The garden is all I seem to have time for at the moment Sue, with just a bit of housework thrown in! The weeds are claiming most of my time, but I will get it sorted eventually.I think I need some tall spires in that border to contrast with the agapanthus, so it could well be another kniphophia which gets planted in the autumn.
Your agapanthus really are putting on a good show Pauline. As a companion, I think bold and orange could be good, maybe eschscholzia. Or more likely I would go for a pale yellow, like Coeopsis ‘Moonlight’! My plant of the moment has to be Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ which is just starting to flower here.
Thanks Denise for your suggestions, I think most agree that pale would be best, but then orange would be a super contrast! Lucifer is a magnificent plant, mine are almost over now, another week and then that will be “goodbye” for another year unfortunately.
Mine are settling in to make leaves, but I have never had many flowers. I am afraid they need watering in summer and I am trying to be waterwise.
A nice buttery lemon yellow would sing with that purplish blue.
Mine never get watered Diana, I think nature does that for me! They do like to have their roots restricted which I think mine possibly now have as plants round them have also grown, this is certainly their best year for flowering.
I love them!
What a beautiful surprise and such a nice color.
I have one tiny plant which I bought last fall and planted this spring. I was shocked this week to see a bud just appearing so hopefully will be able to see a flower before winter arrives. I’m not sure if it will be hardy so to have a flower come before cutting it through the freeze test is a treat. Hopefully it won’t be the only one I ever see!
The Agapanthus are still flowering strongly Frank and hopefully will do so for a while yet. The evergreen ones aren’t hardy for us and have to be brought in for the winter, but the deciduous ones seem fine so far. I do hope that your one little bud grows and flowers before the frost arrives and that the plant survives your winter!
Beautiful! This is a plant I don’t have, it’s just marginally hardy here. For a companion, how about a compact Helenium or Rudbeckia fulgida?
Rudbeckias haven’t started flowering here yet Jason and now, part way through August, the agapanthus are past their best unfortunately. Have you tried the deciduous agapanthus, they are supposed to be more hardy than the evergreen varieties?