do peter pans need to be trimmed down after the blooms die away?

Answer #2 · Maple Tree's Answer · Hi Terry-The Peter Pan Agapanthus is a real favorite plant on mine. As Brent mentioned I cut off the flowering stems as soon as the blooms are spent. In my warmer zone the agapanthus does not go dormant or die back in the winter months. If you are in a colder climate do as Brent mentioned letting the leaves die down before removing them. Many in colder climates grow agapanthus in containers and move them to a warmer protected area from freezing in the winter. You can also plant them in the black nursery containers and bury them in your garden during the warmer months and remove them to a protected location in the winter. In warmer locations the leaves will not die back but pulling any of the old yellowing or browning leaves can be done easily to clean up the plant any time of the year. They are a great plant requiring very little care. If they get to wide for the area you have them in they can easily be divided. This not only helps to keep the size of plant you desire, but will give you more plants you may want for other locations. If they get to big you can cut down through the plant and its root mass with a sharp shovel and remove any size portion you like.

John)

Answer #1 · Gardenality.com's Answer · Hi Terry - Good question. You can cut the scapes (flower stems) anytime you want.

Some folks like to cut the flowers, and a long stem, for use in indoor flower arrangements. Others like to remove each individual flower from the globe as it fades, leaving the fresh buds and flowers intact. After all the flowers are spent you can cut the scape off at the lowest point possible using a pair of sharp scissors or pruners.

Regarding the foliage, you want to leave it until it has gone completely dormant. This way the energy from the leaves will return to and be stored in the bulbs.

Let us know if you need more details or have any other questions.

Brent)