Nerines: 5 ideas for pairing them

In a romantic scene

Some nerines display delicate pastel shades, such as the Nerine undulata with its pale pink undulating petals, or the Amarine x tubergenii ‘belladiva Aphrodite’, featuring pure light pink autumn blooms. They look stunning when paired with white flowers, creating a clean and natural aesthetic in the garden. They create fresh and romantic late-season scenes.

For a beautiful harmony of colours, in a border, these bulbous plants pair perfectly with the late blooms of autumn asters (‘Monte Cassino’), Japanese anemones such as ‘Dainty Swan’ or ‘Honorine Joubert’, white agapanthus like ‘Fireworks’, echinaceas ‘Pretty parasol’ with pure white flowers slightly tinged with pink, white astrantias, and Crinum (x) powellii ‘Rosea’. Accent the arrangement with white guaras, ‘Hidcote’ lavenders, and grasses such as Pennisetum ‘Hameln’ and Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Bronzeschleier’ for a touch of simplicity, modernity, and lightness.

For associations with shrubs, opt for light pink flowering Ceanothus like the very floriferous Ceanothus pallidus ‘Marie Rose®’. You can accompany them with repeat flowering shrub roses such as the old rose ‘Felicia’, which will create an opulent backdrop.

Nerine undulata alongside ‘Hidcote’ lavenders, Pennisetums alopecuroides ‘Hameln’, Japanese anemones ‘Honorine Jobert’, and Ceanothus pallidus ‘Marie Rose’

In a cottage garden

With their large umbel clusters of lily-like flowers and graceful habit, nerines easily fit into an English cottage garden alongside autumn-flowering perennials to create a natural atmosphere in your garden. Opt for varieties with soft, fresh hues, such as Nerine bowdenii; these flowering bulbs will blend more easily into rustic scenes.

Easy to care for in mild climates, whether in a border or a mixed border, you can combine nerines with sun-loving perennials like achilleas or gauras. The combination will also harmonise well with verbena from Buenos Aires and echinaceas. Japanese anemones ‘Mont rose’, and asters will accompany them right up to the gates of winter.

In the background, integrate buddleias whose flowering spikes will add movement. Complement with light clumps of flexible grasses like stipas and consider sowing annuals such as love-in-a-mist and cosmos.

A rustic garden featuring mass plantings of Nerine bowdenii at the centre, with some light Cosmos, a Buddleia, echinaceas, and a few achilleas

By the seaside

Nerines are plants that thrive by the sea, such as along the Mediterranean coast and the Atlantic shoreline. The proximity of sea spray does not bother them.

On the West Coast, pair your nerines with the spectacular flowers of the Agapanthus Blue Heaven and ‘Megan’s mauve’, summer heathers that bloom until September, alongside a Cordyline australis ‘Pink Passion’, and Escallonia laevis ‘Pink Elle’, a small evergreen bush suited to milder climates, which is very floriferous.

In the south of our country, nerines can add depth to a bed of low Mediterranean perennials and small bushes. Plant your nerine bulbs alongside lavenders, a Yucca for an exotic touch, and a Gunnii eucalyptus in the background, whose blue-grey foliage harmonises well with the pink or orange flowers of the nerines.

Nerine undulata alongside repeat flowering Agapanthus in September, Calluna vulgaris, a Cordyline australis ‘Pink Passion’, and an Escallonia laevis ‘Pink Elle’

To spice up a flower bed

Certain varieties of Guernsey Lily, such as Nerine elegance ‘Pearls of Cherry’ or Nerine sarniensis var. Corusca, showcase a brilliant flowering in red or orange hues. They also lend themselves well to an exotic garden setting, alongside other plants with warm and fiery colours. Next to them, Phormiums ‘Dark Delight’ will be unmatched in adding a true touch of exoticism.

If you wish to focus on a chromatic harmony, consider colourful perennials or bulbous plants such as beautiful daylilies (‘Amadeus’ or ‘Stella de Oro’, a wonderful miniature variety with intense golden-yellow flowers that bloom until October), vibrant red or yellow Cannas like ‘Talisman’, other tender plants boasting stunningly coloured flowers, striking Crocosmias, and an exuberant tuberous climbing nasturtium as a backdrop.

To contrast the scene with a touch of sophistication, introduce blue, the complementary colour to orange, with Agapanthus ‘Ever Sapphire’, which often repeat flower in October.

Nerine sarniensis var Corusca, Hemerocallis ‘Stella de Oro’, Canna, Phormium ‘Dark Delight’ and Tuberous Nasturtium (© Teresa Grau Ros)

Rose Variations

Nerines mostly bloom in shades of pink, ranging from the most delicate pastels to vibrant pinks. The selection is abundant; the Nerine ‘Pink Triumph’ produces large, shimmering silver-pink lily-like flowers, while ‘Isobel’ blooms in bright pink. The Amarine ‘Anastasia’ showcases a deep pink, and Nerine undulata displays pale pink bouquets. All pair beautifully with roses, Phlox paniculata, tall Verbena from Buenos Aires, Cleomes, and Asters. Accent this monochrome scene with the purple spikes of Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Black Beauty’, which will add lightness, and a Phormium ‘Dark Delight’ for a graphic touch.

To create a contemporary yet wild scenography, place a Muhlenbergia capillaris, a stunning grass. The slender appearance of the nerines contrasts beautifully with rounded, trimmed evergreen shrubs; for a counterpoint, incorporate clumps of Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Tom Thumb’, for example.

The Amarine belladiva ‘Anastasia’ at the centre, beautifully surrounded by Pennisetums alopecuroides ‘Black Beauty’, Verbena bonariensis, Asters novi belgii ‘Crimson Brocade’, and a few pink Cleomes.

In a graphic pot.

Nerines planted in pots create an interesting focal point on your terrace or balcony, and they can also be easily stored away in winter in colder regions. With their height rarely exceeding 50 cm, they are well-suited for cultivation in large containers. Plant small feathery grasses at their base (Chinese fountain grass, Stipa pennata) and Sedum spectabile.

Nerine bowdenii alongside Stipas pennata and Sedums spectabile