Agapanthus plants are native to South Africa and were introduced into Europe in the seventeenth century. The most commonly grown varieties are the Headbourne hybrids, which are available in an array of blue shades. White varieties can also be grown but don’t have the same impact as the deep blues.

The round balls of the agapanthus blooms provide a late summer spectacle. The intense, blue flowers can provide a focal point in a border or a tub, or they will mix well with a range of other plants. Deciduous Agapanthus are generally hardier than the evergreen ones but both will tolerate a light frost.

Agapanthus love full sun but they have been successfully grown in light shade. Headbourne hybrids are hardy, but some of the other species and hybrids will also come through most winters. The problem is winter wet as much as cold. Covering the plants with a sheet of glass to keep them reasonably dry, while allowing air to circulate to prevent condensation, will help.

These plants require little attention other than to tidy up the rotting leaves and flower stems during the early winter. They will rarely need staking. If you don’t mind sacrificing a few stems, they make good cut flowers from the house.

Growing Requirements

Soil
These plants like a moist, free-draining soil, but will grow well in a dry soil that has had organic material added. They thrive in deep, fertile soils but will tolerate quite poor soil.

Size
Agapanthus can reach a height of 3ft (90cm) with a spread of around 2ft (60cm).

Propagation
Dividing existing plants in spring is the easiest way to increase them. This must be done carefully, as the roots are brittle and resent being disturbed. They are best planted out in spring and should be placed about 18in (45cm) apart.

Family: Agapanthaceae
Genus: Agapanthus

Gladiolus Callianthus is a delicate and highly-scented gladioli species that is easy to grow and, when planted in succession, can provide a continuous floral display in the late summer and autumn. It is often know by the name Acidanthera Murielae and the common names peacock flower or Abyssinian gladiolus. It originates from the high mountains of central Africa and consequently is only moderately hardy.

The irregularly-petalled flowers are pure white, with a dark purple patch at the centre. They are highly scented and arch gracefully from a long pollen tube. The leaves are straight and sword-like and emerge from the corms so late in the summer that it is easy to think they are not going to show. In September, the tall flower stalks follow and bear a succession of blooms on a 2.5ft tall spike. After flowering, the leaves should be allowed to go yellow and die down. Gladiolus Callianthus is not hardy enough to be left out all winter, but the corms can be lifted and the best of them stored dry over the winter with the largest being reused the following year.

Growing Requirements

Soil
Gladiolus Callianthus is not really suited to heavy, waterlogged soils. It does well in well-drained, sunny situations planted on a 2in bed of gravel. They can be fed annually in spring with a general fertiliser when planted in a moderately fertile soil.

Size
Plants will grow to about 2 to 3 ft (60 to 90 cm) and spread about 12in (30cm).

Propagation
Plant the dry corms in April to May, either in deep pots or in good soil in a sunny position. Place them 4in apart and 5in deep. A 12in pot will hold about 7-10 bulbs.

Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Gladiolus

Ornamental garden plants can be broken down into several different groups. Some of the groups overlap, for example, most trees and shrubs will also fall into the perennial group.

Trees
Trees are usually the largest and most prominent plants in a garden and form the backdrop that will influence the selection of other plants. Trees are perennial, usually having a single woody stem, and may be evergreen or deciduous. They are found in most parts of the world and so there is a huge variety of ornamental trees and plenty of choice for most types of garden.

Shrubs
Shrubs are woody-stemmed perennial plants, usually free-branching from the base rather than the single stem of a tree. As with trees, shrubs can be deciduous or evergreen, but they have a breathtaking variety of ornamental features such as shape, growing habits, striking flowers, eye-catching fruit and beautiful foliage.

Climbers
Climbing plants use other plants, rocks or man-made structures for support. These valuable deciduous or evergreen plants can be used to cover-up wall or fences or to provide ornamental screening. Some will have a self-clinging or twining habit whilst others will require ties or some sort of additional support.

Perennials
Perennials are plants that live for two years or longer and they will flower once they are mature. The term is most commonly used to describe garden plants that die back each year after flowering and seeding, issuing new growth in the spring. They can be grown in herbaceous borders, as specimen plants or in containers.

Rock Plants
Rock plants are a mixture of shrubs, bulbs and hardy perennials originating from mountainous regions. They grow on or among rocks and are suitable for a rock gardens. Rock plants are adapted to growing in thin, well-drained soil and at altitude. They can survive temperature extremes but not excessive wet conditions. Alpines are included in this group.

Annuals and Biennials
An annual plant is, as the name suggests, one with a lifespan of within one year. A biennial will normally only sport foliage in its first year, going on to flower, set seed and die the following year. These plants are free-flowering and are easy to grow from seed. They can be used as bedding plants, grown in containers or hanging baskets, or used amongst shrubs and perennials.

Bulbous Plants
Bulbous plants, more commonly know as bulbs, are grown chiefly for their beautiful flowers. They originate from all parts of the world and this group also covers plants with tubers, corms and rhizomes. Bulbs usually have a long dormant period that is often spent underground. Some bulbs can provide an early splash of colour in spring, some thrive in borders whilst others make great container plants.