Agapanthus expert Michael Dedman will be opening up his garden and showing off his pride and joy flowers to visitors this weekend.

There will be more than 170 varieties of agapanthus on show at the July open garden day for the National Garden Scheme.

Michael featured on Gardeners World last year, talking about the best methods for growing agapanthus.

Michael’s garden in Shoebury is sheltered, with a light, sandy soil so many of his agapanthus can be planted out in the garden year round, while others are grown in pots and moved into a greenhouse over winter.

Michael recommends three of his favourite agapanthus – Queen Mum, Mood Indigo and Phantom.

Agapanthus are perennial plants which come from southern Africa. In the UK, they do well in sheltered gardens with free draining soil, but they rarely thrive in heavy soils which become cold and wet.

Michael’s garden is open in the afternoon on Sunday from 2pm to 5pm at South Shoebury Hall, Church Road, Shoebury.

Visitors are also welcome by appointment from April to September. Admission is £3.50 and children go free. The money goes to charities selected by the NGS.

There will be an agapanthus sale on the day, as well as a tea and homemade cake stall.

Visit ngs.org.uk for more information.