<em>Nerine</em>: planting, cultivation, care

Description and botany

Genus Nerine includes about 25 species of herbaceous perennials with large bulbs, related to Amaryllis belladonna and even Agapanthus which belong to same family Amaryllidaceae. These bulbous plants mainly originate from South Africa, whereas Hippeastrum (indoor amaryllis) is American in origin. The Amarine resulted from a cross-breeding of a Nerine and an Amaryllis carried out in 1950s. This hybrid produces 8 cm umbels of large true-pink star-shaped flowers with petals less narrow than those of Nerine and with attractive undulations that catch the light.

As with onion, the 3 to 5 cm bulb is made up of stacked tunics whose base, called short stem of bulb, produces fleshy roots. A fine tunic envelops the bulb which continues as a neck. Their strap-like leaves light green shiny, over 20 cm long and 2–3 cm wide, can be deciduous or evergreen and form an erect, spreading clump. Evergreen species populate subtropical, wetter eastern regions of South Africa such as eastern Cape, Natal and Transvaal. Most hardy bulbs are found among deciduous species, for example Nerine bodwenii, which can withstand frosts of around -10 to -12 °C. Native to west Cape Province, these bulbous plants enter dormancy during winter when rainfall is relatively low, which corresponds to our summer, before flowering in spring, i.e. autumn here. Leaves of deciduous species emerge during or just after flowering. In mild climates they are almost evergreen, with short rest periods in late winter and early summer.

Slightly scented flowers appear at top of robust, stiff, cylindrical stems measuring 45–70 cm in height, arranged as umbels 6–7 cm in diameter. The 7 to 15 lily-like flowers, about 8 cm wide and borne on a long peduncle, have 6 narrow, recurved, twisted tepals in Nerine flexuosa and undulata, which earned them the nickname spider lily. In Nerine bodwenii, tepals are arranged with bilateral symmetry (flowers are zygomorphic): flower centre bears six long stamens and a pistil from which tepals radiate on a half-disc. Other species have a more regular flower (radial symmetry). In most nerines, corolla and stamens display a pretty pink colouring shimmering with a stronger pink midline on each tepal. Exceptionally iridescent vermilion-red flushed with gold is seen in Nerine sarniensis var. corusca, a pure white in Nerine flexuosa ‘Blanche’ with delicately scalloped petals, and white sometimes washed with pink in Nerine bowdenii ‘Alba’.

Nerine bowdenii – botanical illustration

Bowden’s nerine (Nerine bowdenii), the most widely sold, is particularly floriferous and capable of producing around ten flower stems and of spreading to 30 cm in diameter. Mass planting of nerine bulbs is recommended to ensure a spectacular display between September and November for about 3 weeks. Expect plants not to flower every year, especially if bulb has been disturbed.

Fruits are capsules that release seeds at ripeness.

Warning: all parts of Nerine are toxic and cause digestive disorders of varying severity if ingested. Some people show skin sensitivity on contact.

Genus name comes from Nereids of Poseidon or more specifically from Nereis, a half-woman, half-fish nymph who assisted shipwrecked sailors, referring to wreck of a Dutch ship off Channel Islands of Guernsey and Jersey. This mishap in 17th century led to introduction of bulbs brought from South Africa which naturalised on those shores. Specific name sarniensis denotes those islands in Latin. Specific epithet bowdenii honours A. H. Cornish-Bowden, British botanist born in South Africa who brought this species to England in 1899.

Main Nerine varieties

Hardiest varieties

Varieties for growing in pots

Nerine bowdenii

Most widespread species, very floriferous, with large shimmering pink umbels. Ribbon-like leaves in small tufts, disappearing in summer. Hardy to -12°C, prefers dry summers. To grow in pots in cold, wet regions.

• Flowering time October to December
• Height at maturity 50 cm

See the product sheet

Nerine bowdenii Pink Triumph

Variety with flowers larger than type and very floriferous. Tolerates -10°C.

• Flowering time November, December
• Height at maturity 50 cm

See the product sheet

Amarine belladiva Aphrodite - Hybrid Nerine

Hybrid between Amaryllis belladona and Nerine bodwenii producing very attractive umbels of large, slightly translucent candy-pink flowers at the ends of sturdy 70 cm stems. Candy-pink, bright and clear. Hardy to -12°C.

• Flowering time October, November
• Height at maturity 70 cm

See the product sheet

Nerine bowdenii Isobel

Very attractive cultivar of deep pink with very undulate petal margins. Hardy to -5°C.

• Flowering time October to December
• Height at maturity 50 cm

See the product sheet

Nerine sarniensis var. corusca

Exceptional variety with red–orange, gold-iridescent flowers that are extremely brilliant. Growth starts in autumn and continues through winter; bulb enters dormancy in late spring to avoid summer heat and drought. To grow in open ground in mild climates and in a container overwintered sheltered from frost. Do not water in summer.

• Flowering time November, December
• Height at maturity 50 cm

See the product sheet

Nerine undulata

Nerine species with delicate, finely undulate pale-pink petals, forming umbels about 10 cm across atop 45 cm stems. Each bulb produces several flowering stems for nearly two months. Recommended especially in a pot to flower sunny terraces.

• Flowering time November, December
• Height at maturity 45 cm

See the product sheet

 

Planting

Where to plant Nerine?

You can grow Nerines in open ground in regions with a mild climate such as Mediterranean rim and Atlantic coast. The hardiest, such as bodwenii and Amarina hybrids, tolerate frosts down to -12 °C. Proximity to sea spray does not trouble them as they grow well on the coast. Choose a sunny position sheltered from north wind. Avoid overwatering during summer when bulb must remain dry.

Foliage that appears after flowering needs to replenish bulb reserves before dormancy. It persists more or less through winter depending on climate, exposure and variety.

When to plant?

Planting of Guernsey lily is generally done in spring after frosts and up to summer, which corresponds to true resting period of the bulb, that is between March and August. Bulbs must not have been left on shelves for too long. Check they are firm and plump.

How to plant?

This plant is easy to grow. Continuous flowering between September and December can be achieved by combining several species or cultivars of Nerine. Treat yourself by acquiring several types of bulbs. Choose sizes over 10 cm to obtain flowering quickly.

• Work patch to depth of 40 cm, removing weeds thoroughly.
• Lighten clay soils with sand or well-rotted compost before placing bulb on a bed of sand.
• If soil is sandy and poor, add well-rotted compost or organic Special Bulbs fertiliser to ensure fertilisation richer in phosphate than in nitrogen.
• Dig position for each bulb spacing them 15 cm apart (30 cm for Amarina) to achieve attractive massing.
• Ensure top of bulbs is level with soil surface.

In pots, opt for a porous container such as terracotta and check size of drainage holes in base to ensure good drainage.

• Pour a layer of gravel or potsherds to at least 1/4 of container height.
• Use a light, free-draining compost made from equal parts geranium potting compost, coarse sand (or perlite) and well-rotted compost, or use a ‘special bulb’ mix.
• Place bulbs 5–6 cm apart to encourage flowering.
• Cover with 2–3 cm of soil if desired.
• Water but avoid water standing in saucer.

→ Find out more with our advice sheet: How to grow Nerines in a pot?

Flowering does not always occur in first year if bulb not large enough!

Nerine bulbs

Care

• Avoid watering during the bulb’s dormancy in summer. Autumn rains will generally meet water needs during flowering. Simply ensure foliage is sufficiently watered over winter so it can replenish the bulb’s reserves. It is unnecessary to fertilise the soil, which could encourage foliage at the expense of the flowers.
• In pots, keep potting mix cool during flowering then increase watering as soon as foliage appears.
• Cut flower stems at the end of the whole umbel’s flowering, leaving the foliage, which should persist until the end of winter.
• Keep soil dry during summer to encourage maximum flowers in autumn.

Nerines benefit from remaining in place for 5 to 6 years to provide a generous flowering. Consider covering the soil with a thick mulch of dead leaves in case of severe frosts. The longer foliage persists over winter, the more abundant the flowering is likely to be, which is why planting under a mild climate is recommended.

• Do not disturb bulbs until flowering fades. In pots, wait until roots have colonised the whole pot or flowering becomes less abundant before dividing bulbs.

Nerines are rarely prone to disease. Watch for damage from slugs and other gastropods when foliage appears.

Multiplication

Easiest propagation consists of separating the bulbils, the small bulbs surrounding the main bulb. Do this in spring or during summer dormancy. Sowing is also possible, but be patient!

Bulbil separation

• Gently free the bulb by digging soil away around it.
• Detach bulbils attached to the parent bulb by pulling them off.
• Replant them in pots, barely covered, then water sparingly.

Sowing

• Sow fresh seed collected from capsules as they open.
• Fill a large pot with a light, sterile sowing compost.
• Sow without covering the seeds.
• Place a saucer underneath and fill it with water for bottom-watering by capillary action.
• Keep between 12 and 15 °C.
• Keep seedlings protected from frost until bulb is large enough.

It can sometimes take 6 years to see first flowers!

You can grow them in containers for several years without disturbing them much until they reach a calibre (circumference) of about 10 cm, i.e. 3 cm diameter.

Uses and associations

Nerines planted in ground pair perfectly with seasonal perennials such as mauve, white or purple Asters, Sedum spectabile, Japanese Anemones… Bare flowering stems without foliage at flowering time can be set off by the purple foliage of a Phormium Dark Delight or a Cordyline in a contemporary city garden. Nerines can equally occupy sunny rockeries as flowerbeds, paired with the pink haze of Muhlenbergia capillaris, the purple spikes of Pennisetum alopecuroides Black Beauty or other grasses or form magnificent borders on their own that will surprise visitors. Consider sowing annuals to compensate for lack of foliage in summer such as Nigella damascena (love-in-a-mist), cosmos or larkspur.

An idea for pairing in mild climate : Salvia involucrata ‘Bethelii’, Dechampsia cespitosa ‘Bronzeschleier’ (©Horticolor), Nerine bowdenii and if you have space, don’t hesitate to add a purple touch such as Phormium ‘Dark Delight’

Planted in attractive terracotta pots, they will form focal point on a terrace in autumn, framed by palms for an exotic or contemporary look.

Another pairing idea in vivid colours : bright red Nerine sarniensis (or Nerine sarniensis var corusca, more orange), Gladiolus primulinus ‘Atom’, Phormium (‘Dark Delight’ would be perfect here), Oxalis triangularis… you can also add some cannas to strengthen the exotic feel

Don’t forget to cut a few stems to enjoy their brilliant presence for three weeks indoors, in a vase or in an Ikebana-style arrangement.

→ Discover more ideas with our advice sheet Nerines: 5 ideas for pairing

Did you know?

Guernsey celebrates Nerine in October, showcasing flowering of numerous hybrids in stunning colours.