Bloomin’ marvellous - Otter’s first Agapanthus festival

Otter Garden Centres is holding its inaugural 'Agapanthus Festival' at all seven of its sites to showcase this spectacular plant.

20 varieties will be on show, from Fireworks, Midnight Sky, Poppin’ Star, Twister and Queen Mum to the 2024 sell out, RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year, Black Jack.

Agapanthus, also known as African Lily, love a mild climate and often feature in South West gardens. The tall flower spikes in shades of purples, blues and white provide long lasting colour from early summer to early autumn.

Sabine Jary, granddaughter of Otter’s founders Malcolm and Marilyn White said: “While some people think they’re a recent addition, Agapanthus actually first came to the UK in the 17th century, brought from South Africa by the East India Company.

“Once, perhaps, they were only seen in gardens of stately homes, but these days they are a perfect choice for any size of garden. Agapanthus can be grown in containers, borders or rockeries and the dwarf varieties are ideal for smaller gardens.”

All the plants in the festival have been grown locally by Otter. This year for the first time, they were grown under glass, to encourage hardier, vibrant plants that will flower earlier and thrive even longer.

Sabine added: “They’re rich in pollen, so pollinators like honeybees and bumblebees love them! And they’re low maintenance and drought-tolerant, supporting the move towards more sustainable gardening.”

Highlights of the festival include displays of Agapanthus in various garden settings to help with inspiration for different uses and planting designs. In each garden centre, an expert plant team will be on hand to provide advice about growing and caring for Agapanthus.

Visit Otter Garden Centres in Ottery St Mary, Plymouth, Bishopsteignton, Torbay, Wincanton, Taunton or Lymington to enjoy the displays.