Where to Buy Agapanthus Plant: Finding the Best Source

With their long-lasting elegant blooms that come in a rainbow of colors it’s no wonder agapanthus are such coveted garden plants. Adding these beauties, also known as Lily of the Nile or African Lily, is a great way to bring dramatic floral color and texture to your landscape. But before you can enjoy them in your own yard, you first have to source these special plants. When looking to purchase agapanthus, it’s important to find a reputable supplier that offers healthy, high-quality options. In this article, we’ll cover the best places to buy agapanthus plants for your garden.

Why Grow Agapanthus

Let’s first look at why agapanthus are so popular with gardeners:

• Long blooming – The flowers emerge in late spring or early summer on tall stems and continue blooming for up to 10 weeks.

• Vibrant colors – Varieties come in shades of blue purple white and bicolor. Some have fragrant blooms too.

• Excellent cut flowers – The trumpet-shaped blooms hold up beautifully in arrangements.

• Low maintenance – Once established, agapanthus are quite hardy and easy care.

• Multiplies readily – Mature plants produce new offsets you can divide and propagate.

• Does well in containers – It works great in pots and planters, allowing you to move it around.

• Provides vertical interest – The tall flower stalks stand out and make a statement.

• Deer resistant – Deer and other wildlife tend to leave it alone.

Where to Find Agapanthus Plants

So where exactly can you find and purchase these stunning floral bulbs? Here are some of the best options:

Local Nurseries and Garden Centers

One of the best places to buy agapanthus plants is at a local nursery or garden center, especially in spring and summer when they have great selection. The benefit of shopping local is you can see and choose specific plants in person vs. ordering online.

Mail Order Nurseries

Reputable online nurseries are another excellent choice when buying agapanthus, especially if you want access to rare or unique varieties. The plants will ship at the proper planting time for your zone.

Big Box Stores

Large home improvement and garden stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s stock agapanthus bulbs in spring and may offer a decent selection of the most common types.

Farmer’s Markets

You can sometimes source agapanthus plants from vendors at local farmer’s markets and flea markets, but selection is more limited.

Estate Sales

Check estate sales in your area and you may luck upon agapanthus bulbs being sold off from a garden clean out. This can be a budget way to score plants.

Fellow Gardeners

Talk to gardening friends, neighbors or local garden clubs and you may find someone thinning and dividing their own agapanthus who is happy to share extras with you.

Online Marketplaces

Websites like Etsy and Craigslist are worth browsing for agapanthus bulbs, especially if you’re looking for less common varieties. Just be sure the seller has good reviews.

Your Own Backyard

If you or a neighbor already grow these, you can divide their mature clumps in spring or fall and plant the new offsets in your garden.

What to Look for When Buying

To ensure you get quality agapanthus plants, check for these things when buying:

• Healthy roots – Roots should be firm, white and plentiful. Avoid plants with brown, mushy roots.

• Vigorous foliage – Leaves should be green and upright, not yellow, wilted or floppy.

• Good bulb size – Bigger bulbs will bloom sooner. Mature bulbs are 2-3 inches diameter.

• No pests – Inspect for aphids, mites, scale and other pests.

• Indicator of bloom – Some suppliers indicate the bloom color. Or you can ask.

• Packaging dates – For mail order, make sure packing dates align with optimal planting time.

When to Buy

Because they are summer blooming bulbs, the optimal times to plant and buy agapanthus are:

• Early spring – Plant as soon as soil can be worked in zones 8-10.

• Late spring – Plant after the last frost risk has passed in cooler zones.

You can find the best selection during the peak spring planting window. But you can also find agapanthus at nurseries during the blooming season so you can see colors and pick the varieties you like.

How Many to Buy

Agapanthus produce clumps of strappy leaves with flower stalks emerging up from the foliage. To make a statement in your garden, here is a general guide on how many to purchase:

• Small garden beds – 3-5 bulbs

• Medium beds – 5-10 bulbs

• Large beds/borders – 10-20 bulbs

• Containers – 1 bulb per 12-16 inch pot

For the fastest impact, choose larger 4 inch pots with established root systems that will bloom this first season. Or buy smaller, less expensive bulbs and be patient for them to mature and multiply.

Tips for Planting Your New Agapanthus

Once you get your agapanthus plants home:

• Plant them at the same level they were growing in the pot. Don’t bury the neck.

• Water the new transplants well and continue regular watering.

• Remove any blooms the first season so the plant focuses on root establishment.

• Apply balanced fertilizer monthly during the growing season.

• Add 2-4 inches of mulch around plants to conserve moisture.

• Divide bulbs every 3-4 years in spring or fall.

With the proper care, your new agapanthus should thrive and provide enjoyment for years to come!

Common Types of Agapanthus to Shop For

While there are many agapanthus varieties, here are some of the most popular types to look for:

• ‘Storm Cloud’ – Deep blue-purple blooms on medium height stalks.

• ‘Tinkerbell’ – Dwarf variety under 12 inches tall with bicolor blooms.

• ‘Queen Mum’ – Big double white blooms great for cutting.

• ‘Twister’ – Twisted bicolor blooms in blue/white.

• ‘Arctic Snow’ – Pure white, nicely fragrant flowers.

• ‘Midnight Blue’ – Deep blue blooms on tall 4 foot stems.

The Bottom Line

With so many places to find beautiful agapanthus bulbs locally and online, every gardener can add these easy yet showy plants to their landscape. Just shop with reputable sellers, choose healthy bulbs and provide good care. In no time you’ll have a gorgeous, long-lasting floral display that brightens any garden. So get shopping for agapanthus and enjoy these wonders of nature in your own yard!