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 praecox, one of the evergreens, is an extremely variable species consisting of three subspecies: subsp. praecox, subsp. orientalis and subsp. minimus. Agapanthus praecox White can be recognized by its 6 to 20 leaves per individual plant. These leaves are strap-like and may be leathery or flaccid, narrow or broad, short or long and have blunt or pointed tips. It occurs in the Eastern Cape and is generally 80cm to 1m tall and flowers in mid to late summer (December to February). It is distinguished from the other two subspecies by its longer perianth segments (50mm or longer) and fewer leaves (10 to 11 per plant) which are leathery and suberect (spreading rather than arching). Flowers are open-faced and white.