Agapanthus is a genus of herbaceous perennial bulbs that mostly bloom in summer. Agapanthus is collectively commonly known as “Lily of the Nile”, but it is not a lily, and all the species are indigenous to South Africa from the Cape to the Limpopo River. Species boundaries are not clear in the genus, and despite having been intensively studied, the number of species recognized by different authorities varies from 6 to 10. A great many hybrids and cultivars have been produced and they are cultivated throughout warm areas of the world. Agapanthus can be grown within plant hardiness zones 9 to 11. In lower-numbered zones, the bulbs should be placed deeper in the soil and mulched well in autumn. Agapanthus can be propagated by dividing the bulbs or by seeds. The seeds of most varieties are fertile. Agapanthus is one of South Africa’s best known garden plants and is grown in most countries in the world. Their strap-like leaves and striking blue or white flowers make them favorites in plant borders as well as in containers.

Agapanthus comptonii is a compact evergreen species with shorter flower stems. Its rounded flower clusters consist of relatively large, open-faced liliaceous blooms ranging from pale to medium blue. The clusters have fewer blooms than other more common evergreen African lilies. Like most African lilies, the tepals have darker blue lines down their centers. Blooms appear in summer. It is native to the montane grasslands of southern Africa.