Question
QUESTION: I recently bought a beautiful plamt to spruce up my home to sell it,and we did now i love this lpant so much (agapanthus africanus)-peter pan it has beautiful blue long stemed flowers,I live in n nj and im moving to maryland.   can this be lanted in the summer in the ground and can I leave out in the winter to have it bloom again in sring? when is the bloom period.I got it in april in full bloom ,was that natural or forced bloom.is it like tulips that will come back every year or if i chose to cold it stay in doors year round since my new home has a lot of sunny windows and plenty of light.this plant is so beautiful i dont want to kill it. help!best indoors or out.   thanks, linda

ANSWER: Hi Linda,
Thanx for your question.  Unfortunately, agapanthus is not reliably hardy in either New Jersey or Maryland.  There are a few varieties of agapanthus that claim to be hardy to zone 6 but I've not tried them yet.  Agapanthus is a pretty flower though and used a lot in warmer climates in landscaping as it is relatively tough.  The plant blooms in midsummer.  You can plant it in the garden after the last frost and the ground has warmed.  Lift the fleshy roots in the fall before the first frost and store them in a dry, cool basement until next spring or you can plant them in containers and bring the containers indoors before the first frost.  I hope this helps.
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: wont diging it up damage the roots,and do i store it in dirt, do i water it through the the storage period.as you said can i bring it in doors in winter i have lots of sunny windows and if i do will it bloom after the summer bloom or will the plant remain green and flowerless or will it just turn brown and sprout new green in the spring .what about floresent lighting would that keep it blooming through the winter in doors,just such a beautiful plant.im guessing they are not perinials if they wont come back in the spring if left in the cold ground they will die.also can i  grow new plants from the little seeds inside the flower and how do i do it thanks so much for your help . linda

Answer
Hi Linda,
thanx for your question.  Digging it up won't necessarily harm the roots if you are careful.  Leave it in clump form and store it in a net sack. If the basement is cool and dark, you shouldn't need to hydrate it.  Just leave it in clump form.  If you have a well-lit room, it will remain green however, flowering will probably be minimal.  Agapanthus are perennials, they're just not hardy perennials for New Jersey or Maryland.  The seeds of the plant germinate readily in 3 or 4 weeks planted 1/4 inch deep and kept moist and warm.  I hope this helps.
Tom