Can Agapanthus bulbs be planted in March ?

I would love to plant Agapanthus bulbs directly into the flowerbed in a south facing sheltered position so they get established as plants by the Summer.
Am I being too hopeful in expecting them to flower this year ?
I have only ever bought them as plants for a container before

 

I think you might be lucky to get flowers this year unless you buy plants that are well established in pots, problem then could be they might not flower next year as they will be establishing and have lost the root restriction.
I dont think single bulbs planted this year are likely to flower well or possibly at all.

 

Ok thanks Pete I will decide what to do. I will be planting other stuff and will probably wait till Autumn to plant the bulbs. Cheers

 

Don't put off planting, they wont flower next year, probably, even if you plant in autumn, infact I dont think autumn is a good time to plant they could well rot over winter.

Spring is best but they need to get established, which can take a couple of years or so before they flower really well.
Make sure you get the hardy deciduous types rather than the evergreen ones.

 

I would get the agapanthus bulbs when they are available and plant when you get them, that way you stand more chance of flowers next year, but they make take a couple of years to settle in and flower.
I have both evergreen and deciduous types. The evergreen one has had it's leaves mushed this winter; it will come back in the summer.

 

I agree with Pete and Nigel. Plant them up in pots if you have them, or are getting them soon, but they'll need time to thrive. They also need food to do well, especially later in the season.

 

Thanks for your advice everyone I may well try both, plant in pots and into the ground. I will definitely not have the evergreens, I will feed them too
Cheers