Not too long ago, Agapanthus was that plant you mostly saw in someone’s backyard—tall, architectural, often blue or white, and sturdy as anything. But as a cutflower? Still kind of a question mark. That’s changing, thanks in part to two young growers in Heemskerk, Netherlands: Tim van Diepen and his brother, who are putting Agapanthus on the map for florists under the label All I Am.
Agapanthus: From Backyard Favorite to Cutflower Star
For florists, Agapanthus is still a bit of an underdog. Sure, it has a unique shape, strong stems, and that all-eyes-on-me look in arrangements.
But it’s not top-of-mind, and for a long time it was more of a garden staple. “Yeah, we know,” Tim laughs. “I’ve got one in my own garden, too.” But his mission is to show that Agapanthus deserves more. Through their partnership with All I Am Flowers, all of Van Diepen’s harvest goes directly into the hands of florists via targeted sales and marketing—no auction clocks involved.
“All I Am came to us after a year of auctioning,” Tim explains. “They were already buying a lot from us, and then they asked if we wanted to work directly. Since then, we’ve delivered everything through them. They really understand the product.”
From Lilies to Agapanthus
Although Tim is an absolute product specialist, his farm didn’t start with Agapanthus. He and his family were lily growers first, but the market was getting tougher every year. Prices were flat, the work was heavy, and there was little room to grow. So they looked sideways—quite literally—at some leftover corner plots of Agapanthus in the region. While other small growers were dropping the crop, Tim saw potential.
“We thought, why not just go all-in?” Tim says. “We wanted to make a serious product out of Agapanthus, and it turns out it’s really well-suited to almost organic growing. Hardly any pesticides are needed, although it grows outside. It just fits what we stand for.”
Now, the brothers grow nearly three hectares of Agapanthus outdoors—one of the first in the Netherlands to scale it up as a full-fledged cutflower crop. Check this video by floral influencer Peter van Delft:
Source: @petervandelft.flowers.
The Lineup: From 'Dr. Brouwer' to 'Valencia'
Van Diepen Flowers grows a wide range of Agapanthus varieties, and it’s not just blue and white. Their main workhorse is Agapanthus Dr. Brouwer, a compact, deep-blue type that works well in mixed bouquets. Then there’s Silberpfeil, a silver-toned variety that’s quite exclusive to them.
Looking for something a bit different? Check out Barcelona (white), Davos (deep blue), and Valencia, a lilac-colored newcomer, and Suzan, with a distinct blue stripe running through the petals.
Some of these are still being trialed on a smaller scale, but the ambition is clear: variety, quality, and a strong visual identity.
What Makes a Good Agapanthus?
From a grower’s perspective, it’s all about stem length, weight, and head size. “If a florist picks up a bucket and it’s almost too heavy to lift, that’s a good sign,” Tim says. Some stems come in at around 60 cm—perfect for everyday work—while others, like Suzan, can stretch up to 90 cm, making them ideal for events or mono-arrangements.
And there’s more than just looks: Agapanthus holds up well in transport and has a strong vase life. “Lots of tiny florets on each head means it keeps going,” Tim adds. “Even if one flower drops, there are plenty more to keep the stem looking good.”
Grown Outdoors, Seasonally
Agapanthus at Van Diepen Flowers is grown 100% outside—no greenhouses involved. The season usually runs from mid-June to mid-August, with a strong peak during those two months. It’s weather-dependent, of course, but the rhythm suits their operation. Outside of Agapanthus season, the team also grows Alliums and Lilies and runs a propagation business for young Agapanthus plants.
And yes, that outdoor cultivation? It’s another plus in the sustainability column. No energy-guzzling lamps. Just sun, soil, and patience.
Why Florists Should Give It a Go
So what would Tim say to florists who haven’t yet taken the Agapanthus plunge? “I’d say this: it’s one of the few outdoor flowers that grows almost completely biologically. It needs almost no spraying. Especially in big cities, customers are really starting to ask where their flowers come from and how they’re grown. Agapanthus fits into that story.”
And it’s not just eco-friendly. It’s versatile, sturdy, and—let’s be honest—just a little bit different. Which is exactly what a lot of florists are looking for right now.
Want to explore the full Agapanthus lineup from Van Diepen Flowers? Check them out via All I Am Flowers, and keep your eye out for these impressive flowers. This might just be your next floral go-to for summer.
All photos courtesy of Van Diepen Flowers.
