Agapanthus Africanus
Blue Lily of the Nile
South Africa has not produced a more popular garden plant than the Agapanthus Africanus. Its strap-like, evergreen foliage and dark blue to white blooms are beloved of gardeners the world over.
 
Agapanthus Flowers Near Serra De Agua, Madeira, Portugal
Photographic Print
Merten, Hans...
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The 2-3 foot plants will grow and bloom in sun or bright shade. The bloom season lasts for about a month and can commence anytime from late spring to early fall. There is an 8-12 inch tall dwarf variety 'Peter Pan' that many people love.
This tender perennial is hardy into the high teens F. It may die to the ground when temperatures fall into the lower end of its range, but will come back in the spring. A blanket of mulch is good insurance here. Blue Lily of the Nile is being hybridized in England for greater cold tolerance. The 'Headbourne' hybrids are said to be hardy into USDA zone 6b. There are several named selections. Most are easy to grow. But not all are easy bloomers--at least not outside of a few areas. Agapanthus Africanus flourishes in California, Texas, Australia, and, of course, in its South African homeland. Gardeners in other corners of the world report some difficulty in getting it to flower on a regular schedule. 
Agapanthus Before a Mirror. Late 19th Century
Moller, Carl...
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I have seen it growing well and blooming itself silly right here in central Florida. But I have to confess, I've never gotten it to bloom in my yard. They are reputed to bloom best when root bound. The clumps that I have seen flowering locally were large, so perhaps there is something to this. My advice it to buy the largest plants you can find to plant. Mix some time release fertilizer into the planting holes. Feed again every three months until late fall. Do not divide the clumps until you begin to notice a decrease in bloom each year. 
Cafe des Fleurs
Staehling, Angela
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By then the clump will be so thick that you may need to use a pickaxe to break it up. Don't be afraid to hack away at it. It's a tough plant. You won't do it any permanent harm. They are often planted in median strips where their foliage remains green and glossy no matter how hot and dry they get.Where Agapanthis Africanus thrives it can become invasive. Spent flower heads, left in place, will drop seed. Remove the stalks after the plants are finished blooming to avoid this problem.  
*The sap of Agapanthus Africanus is reputed to be a skin and eye irritant. Use caution when working with it.
Mexican Petunia
The 3 foot tall Mexican petunia sports 2 inch wide, 5 lobed flowers from spring till frost. Ruellia brittoniana blooms in pink or purple.
Crinum Lily
The Crinum lily (also called swamp or spider lily) is a large specimen plant with long strap-like leaves. The foliage, which ranges from bright green to nearly black, is as striking as the large trumpet-shaped flowers.
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