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Agapanthus Help

dave849dave849 Posts: 3
in Plants
I planted agapanthus in new raised beds in 2015 and they are doing really well. Unfortunately the soil level in all the raised beds has dropped by around 6 inches - I can see where the render stops revealing the block-work, so I want to add more topsoil in the winter. Can I leave the plants in place? I would rather not disturb them by digging them up but instead just add 6" more soil on top.

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 33,689
    Sometimes an easy way works, but not in this case. I'm afraid you really need to dig them up ,add the new soil and replant them .
    If you add 6 inches of soil, they'll just die.
    Devon.
  • IamweedyIamweedy Posts: 1,364
    And do  feed them as well. Try bonemeal. No high nitrogen such as Miracle Grow. 



    'You must have some bread with it me duck!'

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 33,689
    I'd be feeding them with a high potash feed from now on to stimulate new buds for next year . (same principle as feeding Daffs after they finish flowering )
    Devon.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,738
    That’s what I do @Hostafan1 ... I feed the agapanthus with tomato feed when I feed the tomatoes 🍅 
    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,528
    They grow extremely well in pots (large terracotta ones). 

    Why not put them into pots, sunk slightly into the soil, until you are sure that all the settlement that is going to happen has happened. Then you could replant them into the bed, if that is what you want.
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • dave849dave849 Posts: 3
    Thanks for the comments so far - all very useful. When do you think would be a good time to dig them up? Hopefully at a time when my fingers don't get to cold!
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 33,689
    dave849 said:
    Thanks for the comments so far - all very useful. When do you think would be a good time to dig them up? Hopefully at a time when my fingers don't get to cold!
    well..... if you want to do it when it's best for you, do it now, but I'd do when it's best for the plants, so when they're dormant. 
    Get some nice warm gloves from Santa.
    Devon.
  • dave849dave849 Posts: 3
    It's time to sort out the agapanthus!  To lift them higher as the soil in the raised beds has dropped. I know one can buy bulk bags of top soil but I am considering instead buying smaller bags to make it easier to carry through to the garden. So here is the question - do I buy bags of top soil, or bags of multi-purpose compost to go under and around the agapanthus?
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 33,689
    John Innes no3 is usually recommended. 
    Devon.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 28,805
    John Innes composts are loam based and offer good drainage.  MPC will be too claggy for agapanthus. 
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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