Nerine sarniensis var. corusca

Nerine sarniensis var. corusca, the true Guernsey Lily, is a rare bulb in cultivation that distinguishes itself from the bowdenii nerines by its brilliant red-orange flowering instead of pink. Its flower umbels are also more compact than those of its cousins. The petals, adorned with golden flakes, look beautiful in the low and yellow autumn light. This South African plant is a true Mediterranean climate plant, perfectly adapted to dry and hot summers, humid autumns, and mild winters. Nerine sarniensis is loved for its beauty and also known for its somewhat capricious nature and irregular flowering: it blooms when it decides to, and not every year. Plant it in the ground in mild climates, in a very well-draining, dry soil in summer. In colder regions, it must be grown in pots.

Nerine sarniensis var. corusca belongs to the Liliaceae or Amaryllidaceae family, depending on the classification. It is native to South Africa, specifically the Western Cape region, governed by a Mediterranean climate. This species was accidentally washed ashore from ships on the Channel Islands of Guernsey and Jersey and became naturalised there before becoming the emblematic flower of these islands. This is why it claims the name Guernsey Lily or Jersey Lily.

It is a perennial herbaceous plant with a large tunicated bulb measuring 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) in diameter and fleshy roots. Its vegetation is deciduous in summer but evergreen from autumn to spring. This nerine develops its floral stems in September-October, sometimes in November or December depending on the year, before the appearance of the foliage. Flower production is directly dependent on the return of rain (or watering) after a long dry summer period, which is essential for bulb ripening. The floral stalks emerge from the ground and measure approximately 50 cm (20in) high. Each one carries several small umbels of star-shaped trumpet flowers with prominent long stamens. The flowers have wavy, thick, iridescent, red-orange petals. The bright green foliage begins to develop at the time of flowering. It consists of long ribbon-like leaves measuring about 20 cm (8in) long and 1 cm (0in) wide, arranged in two rows. The leaves dry up at the end of spring, when the bulb enters dormancy. Nerine bulbs do not flower every year, so it is a good idea to plant them in groups of 12 to ensure flowers every year.

This nerine is not the hardiest plant, but it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful. It will thrive in the ground in the mildest regions, particularly near the Mediterranean or the mild Atlantic coast. It will be sensational in a raised bed enriched with sand and dry in summer, accompanied by evergreen Agapanthus, Amaryllis belladonna, or the autumn crocus Sternbergia lutea. All these plants can be used as focal points on a terrace in an exotic or contemporary style. In a flower bed, for example, you can accompany this nerine with a carpet of silver basket and Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, which blooms in autumn on reddened foliage. In colder regions, plant the bulbs in a large pot on a sunny terrace, store it for the winter in a very bright room, watering it regularly but not excessively, and keep it dry in summer. Nerines make excellent cut flowers that are very long-lasting in a vase.

Note: Nerines are sensitive to polluted urban atmospheres.

Bulb size: 12+