A breeding breakthrough, 20 years in the making. Thompson & Morgan is proud to introduce Agapanthus Everpanthus® ‘Poppin’® Pink’.

We have always been excited to introduce new, innovative varieties, and we believe Agapanthus Everpanthus® ‘Poppin’® Pink’ is among the most significant in recent years. We are thrilled and honoured to be launching it in collaboration with renowned South African breeders Andy de Wet and Quinton Bean and Fairweather’s, the UK’s leading authority on Agapanthus and holder of the National Collection.

This is a huge launch not only for Thompson & Morgan and Fairweather’s but also for the industry as a whole, and we are honoured to supply the first plants in the UK.

About Agapanthus Everpanthus® ‘Poppin’® Pink’

‘Poppin’ Pink’ is the world’s first truly pink, hardy Agapanthus, and the plant gardeners have been waiting for without knowing it was possible! 

Each rounded umbel holds a mass of individual flowers that open over time, extending the display of each bloom. The new buds emerge a rich, deep magenta pink, then slowly unfold into vivid pink flowers. Each petal has a dark cerise vein running through it, adding depth and definition. As the summer progresses and the sun gets warmer and brighter, the vibrant pink deepens even more, making ‘Poppin’ Pink’ truly unique. 

New flower stems continuously open all summer to prolong the flowering period, differing from traditional Agapanthus varieties, making this a true ever-blooming ‘Everpanthus’.  

This strong evergreen with upright stems reaches up to 70cm high and 60cm wide, resulting in a larger plant with even more flowers year after year. Like other Agapanthus, ‘Poppin’ Pink’ thrives in sun and copes well with dry spells once established, a real advantage for gardeners in our changing climate with increasing hosepipe bans and droughts. It is also hardy down to around -7°C or lower with protection, so it stands up well to the colder months. 

In our UK trials, every plant looked outstanding in both borders and containers. Its long flowering season and tropical look make it ideal for outside or inside in a vase, as a long-lasting cut flower.

Gavin Shaw, Horticultural Expert at Thompson & Morgan, says: “We’ve been delighted to play a part in the UK trials, and to see its outstanding performance first-hand. After years of dedicated work by the breeders, we’re thrilled to finally bring ‘Poppin’ Pink’ to our customers. We hope gardeners enjoy growing it as much as we have, and there will certainly be one in my garden!” 

‘Poppin’ Pink’ At A Glance

The Story Behind the Breeding: Tens of thousands of seedlings resulting in one breakthrough pink! 

Pictured (Left to Right): Quinton Bean, Andy de Wet & Patrick Fairweather.  

‘Poppin’ Pink’ was bred by Andy de Wet and his partner Quinton Bean, widely regarded as the world’s leading Agapanthus breeders. For this one-of-a-kind introduction, Andy and Quinton spent more than 20 years selecting and refining the pink across tens of thousands of seedlings! 

Over a career of more than five decades, Andy and Quinton have transformed the genus with stronger colours, improved forms and re-blooming varieties. This also includes other Everpanthus varieties featuring ‘Poppin’ Star’, ‘Poppin’ Purple’ and ‘Black Jack’, which won RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year 2023. 

The plant is now multiplied in the UK by Patrick Fairweather, Managing Director of Fairweather’s, who helps select new varieties with the breeders in South Africa and looks after a National Collection of more than 400 Agapanthus. His nursery grows around 2 million young plants a year and has worked with Thompson & Morgan for more than 20 years. 

Patrick Fairweather says: “This is the most exciting plant introduction that I have ever made, and it’s certainly the most exciting introduction in the genus of Agapanthus because this is the world’s first truly pink Agapanthus. It’s taken more than 20 years of breeding in South Africa, working with tens of thousands of seedlings and plants to achieve this unique colour.”

Three of the most trusted names in the industry have joined together to launch this groundbreaking new Agapanthus, bringing the world’s first truly pink Everpanthus to gardeners across the UK!

Growing Notes for Gardeners 
 
●    Position: Choose the sunniest spot available, especially if growing in a pot.
●    Watering and soil: Tolerates a week or two without water, but dislikes being waterlogged. Use an open, free-draining compost.
●    Feeding: No feeding is needed for the first year or two. Use a high-potash feed thereafter to encourage more flowers.
●    Winter care: Cut stems back to the base once the flowers fade, and move plants to a frost-free spot or cover them for extra protection.

Be the first to sell Agapanthus Poppin Pink

Garden centres can reserve and buy stock in 3L pots from Allensmore Nurseries and Darby Nursery Stock. RRP is expected to be around £25.

Be Among the First to Grow It

Thompson & Morgan is proud to be bringing this breakthrough variety to gardeners. Available to pre-order now as 9cm potted plants from £19.99 (despatch from April 2027) or 2 litre plants from £27.99 (despatch from May 2027) and will also be available nationwide from good plant retailers.

 https://www.thompson-morgan.com/p/agapanthus-poppin-pink/wkj3156TM 

Based in Ipswich, Suffolk since 1855, Thompson & Morgan is the UK’s most successful horticultural company. It is the only seed and plant specialist to develop its own plant lines in the UK. It has introduced more species and varieties to the British gardening public than any other similar company in the industry.

Fairweather’s is a family-run garden centre and nursery in Beaulieu, in the New Forest, and home to a National Collection of more than 400 Agapanthus varieties. It grows around 2 million young plants a year.