Description
Lily-of-the-Nile is native to South Africa (not the Nile River as the misleading common name suggests). It produces rounded clusters (umbels) of funnel-shaped flowers atop stiff, upright, leafless, fleshy stalks (scapes) rising above a dense mound of basal narrow, strap-shaped, linear, grass-like leaves. Blooms in summer. Hybrids come in a variety of colors (dark purples to blues to whites) and in sizes ranging from dwarf plants (18″ tall) to large cultivars (to 4′ tall). Leaves may be evergreen or deciduous. Leaves of some cultivars are variegated. Foliage mounds are generally attractive when plants are not in bloom.
