April 19, 2021: Obtained plant (Country Gardens $20)
November 1, 2022: Winterized (Wintering evergreen agapanthus
Evergreens will need extra care. It'll need to be cut back in the summertime as soon as fall approaches.
Do NOT wait until the cold comes.
It's just an unnecessary risk to take, especially when grown in northern regions where it gets really cold.
The plant needs to be cut back at the end of summer or early fall right before the cold begins.
Check your forecast and look up your frost dates.
Upon cutting back, you'll then dig up the roots next.
The tubers should be cleaned.
Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to gently brush off soil that's stuck on them. Let them dry out after you clean them.
The roots will likely have all sorts of dirty clumps stuck on them plus the moisture from prior waterings.
Keep them somewhere dry, warm, and humid-free. You can wrap them in some paper while they dry out.
Keep the light in the room minimal during this time.
Store in a dark, dry, light-free environment. Aim for temperatures between 40-45F.
When the spring comes, check for mold, fungus, or spores. If you see any, dispose of the bulb because it'll be useless.
If everything's good to go, then you're ready to plant them again for the season.
Evergreens are difficult to overwinter compared to deciduous.
If you're in zones 6-8, you'll have a tough time getting them to stay outside during the cold.
Zones that stay above 60F should be OK leaving them in the soil throughout the winter, but they also need full sun.
So if the sun goes away with those shorter days, it'll suffer.
But if temps are good, plus the sun is bright, you may get away doing nothing. Just water it once a week.
Don't let it go dry.
If temperatures fluctuate around that threshold, add some mulch. 2-3 inches of organic mulch around the root to help keep it nice and warm.
Mini greenhouses, cold frames, or plant heaters are also good choices.
Smaller agapanthus plants can be covered with a portable greenhouse, without disturbing the plant.
Lastly, you can move your agapanthus into a container.
If you set up a temporary housing area that has temperatures around 60F with 12 hours of sunlight per day, then you can keep your evergreen going through the winter.
Use a grow light for plants if you don't have the sunlight to give it. When the spring comes, move it back to the original location.
This is to be used as a last resort. It's not good for the plant to constantly move it. So avoid doing so if possible.
One handy tip is to use containers to grow your evergreen agapanthus.
This makes it a lot more convenient because you can simply move the container when the cold comes.
You also don't need to uproot it and mess with the roots each time the cold comes. The pot can be brought inside your house when the winter comes.
This saves you a ton of time plus reduces plant shock.
Be sure to provide some light by placing agapanthus next to a window in your house.
Don't fertilize during this time, but continue to water at a reduced rate.)
April 25, 2023: Plant emerged (Overwintered on-site by back garage door and seems to be doing fine. Full height with no flowers by June 4 although we have had a hot May)
