[gomoho]

Moved into a 4 year old home with some beautiful agapanthus. Actually they were beautiful from June till July. I have removed the seedheads but am left with some pretty raggedy looking leaves. Should they be cut back in the winter or just leave them alone and they will fix themselves? Have searched the internet, but yet to find an answer - so anyone with experience with these beauties your input would be appreciated.

[KathieI]

Agapanthus really is a pretty plant but unfortunately, here in Central FL, it only blooms for a very short period of time in early summer. In Los Angeles, we had blooms from May to August and they were very large and lush for that entire time. They also self-generate (for lack of a better term) and can be separated into more plants usually in the fall. I haven't seen that happen here but am hoping in time, this does take place.

I would not cut them back, except what you have already done, take off the dead flowers and stems. What I usually do is cut back the yellowed dead ends of the long leaves and they will regenerate next year. I don't have very much experience with them here in FL but did have a lot of experience in LA.

[Uptown Girl]

You may remove dead or damaged leaves and spent flower stalks (not just the flower heads) at any time.
I trim back anything raggedy, leaving the green parts.

if they seem very crowded, you may have a need to lift, divide the rhizomes with a sharp knife and replant, spacing them out, or passing them along to others. Best to replant within a couple of days.

They benefit from spring fertilizing, and again in mid-summer. Osmocote (in spring) works well for bloom production, Milorganite (in summer) helps keep them greener after blooming.

They 'rest' in fall and winter, but still absorb sunshine for energy through their leaves for next year's blooms, so don't cut them back.

Happy Gardening!

[pooh]

We had them in California and I think they're beautiful, but in CA, they were homes for snails....lots and lots of snails. Not sure if that happens here, not nearly as many as we had in southern CA. Check every once in a while in the early morning. Snails can really do damage to a garden.

We also had a dwarf variety of agapanthus....really pretty and easier to divide when they spread.

Ah, the Lily of the Nile....enjoy!

[gomoho]

Thank you all for your responses - very much appreciated.