- **Type**: Evergreen or deciduous herbaceous perennial (depends on species/cultivar)

- **Height**: 2 to 4 feet (60 to 120 cm) including flower stalks

- **Width**: 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 cm), clumping over time

- **Growth Habit**: Upright, clumping, with arching, strap-like leaves

- **Foliage**:

- Long, narrow, strap-shaped leaves, 12 to 24 inches long (30 to 60 cm), 1 to 2 inches wide (2.5 to 5 cm)

- Dark green, glossy; evergreen in milder climates (*A. praecox*), deciduous in colder zones (*A. africanus*)

- **Flowers**:

- Rounded umbels of trumpet-shaped, blue to violet-blue blooms (white varieties also exist)

- Each flower 1 to 2 inches long (2.5 to 5 cm), umbels 6 to 12 inches across (15 to 30 cm)

- Bloom season: Midsummer to late summer (June to August), sometimes into fall in mild climates

- No significant fragrance, attracts butterflies and bees

- **Fruit**:

- Small, dry capsules with winged seeds, not ornamentally significant

- **Light**: Full sun (6+ hours daily) for best flowering; tolerates partial shade (4-6 hours)

- **Soil**:

- Well-drained, fertile; adapts to sandy or loamy soils

- Neutral to slightly acidic (pH 6.0 to 7.0)

- **Watering**: Moderate; keep soil moist during growing season, drought-tolerant once established

- **Hardiness**: USDA Zones 8 to 11 (10°F or -12°C; evergreen types may need protection in Zone 8)

- **Wildlife**: Attracts butterflies and bees; deer and rabbit resistant due to tough foliage

- **Care**:

- Fertilize with a balanced mix (e.g., 10-10-10) in spring and mid-summer

- Deadhead spent flower stalks to tidy up; divide clumps every 4-5 years in spring

- Mulch in colder zones to protect roots; lift bulbs in Zones 6-7 for winter storage

- **Pests/Diseases**:

- Generally pest-free; may see slugs or snails

- Susceptible to root rot in soggy soil

- **Uses**: Borders, mass plantings, containers, rock gardens, or accent plant

- **Growth Rate**: Moderate; forms substantial clumps over years

- **Special Features**:

- Native to South Africa; not a true lily (part of the Amaryllidaceae family)

- Heat and drought tolerant once established

- Evergreen cultivars (*A. praecox*) thrive in milder climates, deciduous (*A. africanus*) in cooler ones

The Lily of the Nile’s stunning blue flowerheads and lush foliage make it a striking, low-maintenance addition to sunny gardens or containers, offering a long summer bloom and pollinator appeal. If you had a specific cultivar in mind (e.g., ‘Storm Cloud’ or ‘Peter Pan’), let me know, and I’ll refine the details! Want care tips or planting ideas?