A few rows in Piet Zonneveld’s production fields are set aside for his ongoing Agapanthus breeding program.

It’s incredible to think that the hundreds of different plants growing here are all seedlings from just one variety.

Agapanthus hybrids – as with hybrids of other perennials – hardly ever produce identical plants from seed. Huge diversity in colour, form and height can be found here, but when you consider the number of different varieties growing side by side in Piet’s fields then this level of cross-fertilisation is hardly so surprising.

As the seedlings grow, Piet studies them each day, looking for plants displaying qualities that will make them desirable as a new variety.

Colour, vigour and habit are assessed, not only for the flowers but also the stems and the foliage. A plant with spectacular blooms who’s foliage burns easily in the sun won’t make the grade, as it’s likely to be weak and unreliable to produce. A high flower-stem count is a plus, not only for the gardener, but also for Piet, as he sells the cut flowers from his production crop at the world famous flower auction in Aalsmeer.

Cut Agapanthus ready to go to auction

When a promising newcomer is identified, it’s dug up and ,moved to a secure location, away from the temptation on would-be plant thieves!

It is then grown and propagated by root division for several years, to verify its stability. This process can continue for as long as 6 years, before Piet is satisfied the plant is suitable for mass production.

Once that decision is made, plants are propagated by tissue culture and then returned to Piet’s nursery to mature in the field before being distributed all over the world.