Agapanthus

I found two agapanthus plants late last summer, growing in pots in the nursery. They had leaves but no flowers. I brought them home and repotted them, and the foliage grew a lot. Since I don't think they are hardy in my area, I brought them inside for the winter. They are in my basement, in a pretty dark place, but the leaves are still trying to grow.
I just got a shoplight so I can have space to grow things indoors. Should I put these plants under lights? Or do they need a period of dormancy?
Any help appreciated.
Even though I am in zone 7a, I usually don't have much luck with things unless they are hardy to at least zone 6. We have had some very harsh winters the past few years..
Cindy

They don't go dormant. They are evergreen and flower in mid-March thru early May, depending on the weather.

hi oceangirl- I live in zone 5 and since I love agapanthus, I grow them in pots- I stick them in our cool but not cold cellar (55ish) and they do sort of go dormant. I water them by tablespoons so that the soil stays very dry, but not bone dry. some of them, the leaves shrivel and die, others keep little baby leaves showing like a daffodil about to show up. They have overwintered like this for many years. I put them outside as soon as I can- a light frost will do no harm if they haven't put on a lot of soft new growth yet. This way they bloom in the summer, rather than jumping into bloom too early because I have let them grow through the winter--I hate it when they bloom in the green house in the winter, because I can't enjoy them in the garden that way, so I don't do that anymore.--oh yes, I also leave them out as long as I can in the fall- till thanksgiving here, but for you, maybe longer.

Thank you, jcom51. They bloom pretty early in California! And for a nice long time! Do you have any pictures?

sjms,
I want mine to bloom in the summer outside too, so I will follow the method you use.
Do you feed them (and what?) when you bring them out? How long do they bloom for you? Sorry for all the questions.

hi oceangirl!- i just sent you an email about poppy seeds! I always mean to fertilize my agapanthus (or all my potted plants) more..last year I threw some slow release granular fertilizer in the pots to try to take care of the whole season. I think the most important thing with them, though, is not to divide them often, but let them grow in the same pot till they are really crowded. They don't seem to bloom much the first year after dividing, so don't be disappointed if you don't get bloom this summer. and maybe they'll never be as spectacular as they are in california.....but, they're still great- i think they bloom (but there is a nice build up of the buds) about 2+ weeks,in hmmm july????maybe its june??? i'll have to keep track. sarah

last bloom, aug. 2004.

Wow, Moonglow- that's beautiful. Thanks for posting it.

you are welcome. i am a newbie gardener, and new here also. the agaphantus came with the house when we bought it. even i can't kill this plant, and i look forward every spring when they bloom. with the new info i learn everyday from DG, i hope to better take good care of them and perhaps share some baby plants thru divisions once i know how.

best of luck with your gardening.

annapet

That's a good idea, annapet. Welcome to Dave's! You'll like it here!