Nerine: planting, cultivation, care

Description and botany

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

As with onion, bulb 3 to 5 cm in diameter is formed of stacked tunics whose base, called short stem of bulb, produces fleshy roots. A thin tunic wraps the bulb which continues into a neck. Their strap-like foliage light green glossy exceeding 20 cm long and 2–3 cm wide may be deciduous or evergreen and forms an erect, open clump. Evergreen species occupy moist subtropical regions of eastern South Africa — east of Cape, Natal and Transvaal. Among deciduous species are the hardiest bulbs such as Nerine bowdenii, able to withstand frosts around -10 to -12 °C. Native to west of Cape Province, these bulbous plants enter dormancy during the dry winter, which corresponds to our summer, before flowering in their spring, that is in autumn here. Leaves of deciduous species appear during or just after flowering. In mild climates they are almost evergreen, with short rest periods at end of winter and start of summer.

Flowers, slightly scented, appear at top of robust, rigid cylindrical stems measuring between 45 and 70 cm tall, in umbels 6 to 7 cm in diameter. The 7 to 15 lily-like flowers about 8 cm wide, borne on a long peduncle, have 6 narrow, recurved, twisted tepals as in Nerine flexuosa and undulata, which earned them the common name spider lily. In Nerine bowdenii, tepal arrangement follows bilateral symmetry (flowers are said to be zygomorphic): flower centre bears six long stamens and a pistil from which tepals radiate over a half-disc. Other species have a more regular flower (axial symmetry). In most nerines, corolla and stamens display a lovely pink colouring with a shimmering enhancement on each tepal in the form of a stronger pink midline. An exceptional vermilion-red iridescent with gold appears in Nerine sarniensis var. corusca, a pure white in Nerine flexuosa ‘Blanche’ with delicately cut petals, and white sometimes flushed with pink in Nerine bowdenii ‘Alba’.

Nerine bowdenii – botanical illustration

Nerine bowdenii, the most widely traded species, is particularly floriferous and can produce around ten flower stems and spread to 30 cm in diameter. However mass planting of nerine bulbs is recommended to ensure a spectacular display between September and November lasting about three weeks. Expect plant not to flower every year, especially if bulb has been disturbed.

Fruits are capsules that eject seeds at ripeness.

Beware that all parts of Nerine are toxic, causing digestive disorders of varying severity if ingested. Some people show skin sensitivity on contact.

Genus name refers to Nereids of Poseidon or more specifically to Nereis, a half-woman half-fish nymph who helped shipwrecked sailors, a reference to wreck of a Dutch vessel off the Channel Islands of Guernsey and Jersey. This mishap in the 17th century explains establishment of bulbs brought from South Africa that took root on their coasts. Species name sarniensis denotes these islands in Latin. Species name bowdenii honours A. H. Cornish-Bowden, British botanist born in South Africa who introduced this species into 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. Strap-like foliage arranged in small tufts, dying back 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

This hybrid between Amaryllis belladona and Nerine bodwenii offers very attractive umbels of large, slightly translucent candy-pink flowers at tips of robust 70 cm stems. Candy-pink, clear and bright. Hardy to -12°C.

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

See the product sheet

Nerine bowdenii Isobel

Very attractive cultivar with deep pink colour and petals with strongly undulate edges. Hardy to -5°C.

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

See the product sheet

Nerine sarniensis var. corusca

Exceptional variety producing red-orange flowering with golden iridescence, extremely brilliant. Foliage emerges in autumn, persists through winter, bulb enters dormancy at end of spring to escape summer heat and drought. To grow in ground in mild climate and in pot stored over winter in frost-free shelter. Do not water in summer.

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

See the product sheet

Nerine undulata

Nerine species with delicate, thin, pale-pink undulate petals, forming umbels of flowers about 10 cm in diameter atop 45 cm stems. Each bulb produces several flowering stems over nearly two months. Particularly recommended in pots to flower sunny terraces.

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

See the product sheet

 

Planting

Where to plant Nerine?

You can to grow Nerines in open ground in regions with mild climate such as Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. The hardiest, such as bodwenii and Amarina hybrids, tolerate frosts down to -12 °C. Proximity to salt spray does not bother them as they grow perfectly on the coast. Choose a sunny spot sheltered from northerly winds. Avoid overwatering during summer when bulb must remain dry.

Foliage that appears after flowering needs to replenish bulb’s reserves before dormancy. It may persist to a greater or lesser extent through winter depending on climate, exposure and variety.

When to plant?

Planting Guernsey lily is usually done in spring, after frosts and until summer, which corresponds to bulb’s true dormancy period, i.e. between March and August. Bulbs must not have been kept on shelves for too long. Check they are firm and hydrated.

How to plant?

This plant is easy to grow. Continuous flowering between September and December can be achieved by combining several Nerine species or cultivars. Enjoy choosing several types of bulbs. Select bulbs larger than 10 cm to obtain flowering quickly.

• Work soil to 40 cm depth, removing weeds thoroughly.
• Lighten clay soils with sand or well-rotted compost before setting bulb on a bed of sand.
• If soil is sandy and poor, add well-matured compost or organic ‘Special bulbs’ fertiliser to ensure a feeding richer in phosphate than in nitrogen.
• Dig each planting position spacing bulbs 15 cm apart (30 cm for Amarina) to achieve a good massing effect.
• Ensure bulb tops are level with soil surface.

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

• Pour a layer of gravel or pottery shards covering at least 1/4 of container height.
• Use a light, free-draining potting mix made of equal parts geranium compost, coarse sand (or perlite) and well-rotted compost, or a ‘special bulbs’ potting mix.
• Place bulbs 5-6 cm apart to encourage flowering.
• You can cover them with 2-3 cm of soil.
• Water but do not let water stagnate in the saucer.

→ Learn more with our care sheet : How to grow Nerines in a pot?

Flowering does not always occur in first year if bulb size is insufficient!

Nerine bulbs

Care

• Avoid watering during bulb dormancy in summer. Autumn rains will generally meet water needs during flowering. Simply ensure foliage is sufficiently watered over winter so it can replenish bulb reserves. No need to fertilise soil which could favour foliage at the expense of flowers.
• In pots, keep substrate cool during flowering then increase watering as soon as foliage appears.
• Cut flower stems at the end of whole umbel flowering, leaving foliage which should persist until the end of winter.
• Keep soil dry during summer to produce maximum flowers in autumn.

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

• Do not disturb bulbs while flowering remains strong. In pots, wait until roots have colonised entire pot or flowering becomes less abundant before dividing bulbs.

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

Multiplication

Simplest method of propagation is to separate the bulbils, the small bulbs surrounding the main bulb. Carry out in spring or during summer dormancy. Sowing is also possible but patience required!

Separation of bulbils

• Gently uncover bulb by digging soil around it.
• Detach bulbils attached to mother bulb by pulling on them.
• Replant them in pot barely covered, then water sparingly.

Sowing

• Sow fresh seeds collected from capsules that are opening.
• Fill large pot with light, sterile seed compost.
• Sow without covering seeds.
• Place saucer underneath and fill with water to water by capillary action.
• Keep at 12–15 °C.
• Keep seedlings protected from frost until bulb is large enough.

It can sometimes take 6 years to see first flowers!

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

Uses and companion plants

Nerines in open ground pair perfectly with seasonal perennials such as Asters in mauve, white or purple, Sedum spectabile, Japanese Anemones … Flowering stems bare of foliage at flowering time can be set off by the purple leaves of a Phormium Dark Delight or a Cordyline within a contemporary town garden. Nerines can just as well occupy sunny rockeries as beds, paired with the pink haze of Muhlenbergia capillaris, the purple spikes of Pennisetum alopecuroides Black Beauty or other grasses or even form magnificent borders on their own, which will surprise visitors. Consider sowing annuals to compensate for lack of summer growth, such as love-in-a-mist, cosmos or larkspurs.

An idea for an association in mild climate: Salvia involucrata ‘Bethelii’, Dechampsia cespitosa ‘Bronzeschleier’ (©Horticolor), Nerine bowdenii and, if space allows, feel free to add a purple touch such as Phormium ‘Dark Delight’

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

Another idea for vibrant colours: Nerine sarniensis in bright red (or Nerine sarniensis var corusca for a more orangey tone), Gladiolus primulinus ‘Atom’, Phormium (Phormium ‘Dark Delight’ would be perfect here too), Oxalis triangularis… you can also add a few cannas to enhance the exotic feel

Don’t forget to cut a few stems to enjoy their striking presence for about 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, offering a display of the flowering of numerous hybrids in astonishing colours.