Origin: South Africa
Flower colour: white, orange, pink (main colour), red
Flowering period: September – October
Average plant height: 35 – 90 cm
Planting depth to base of bulbs: neck just above the soil
Spacing between bulbs: 20 cm
Type of bulb: bulb
Light requirements: full sun and sheltered location (AM sun)
Landscape uses: border and container, excellent cut flower.
History
According to popular anecdote, Nerine got its popular name, Guernsey lily, when a specimen washed up on the shores of the English Channel island of Guernsey, thus introducing the South African native to Europe.
Nerine blooms as a cluster of flowers on a leafless stem. Each flower is trumpet-shaped, the petals curl backward. The difference between Nerine bowdenii and Nerine sarniensis is: Nerine bowdenii flowers at the end of the growing period ( Sept – Oct) when the foliage has almost withered; Nerine sarniensis flowers in September, flowering is followed directly by growth and foliage development.
Principal varieties
- Nerine bowdenii comprises 90% of bulbs available; pink.
- Nerine undulata is a crispa (fringed) type; pink.
- Nerine sarniensis corusca ‘Major’ is crimson to orange-red.
- Nerine flexuosa ‘Alba’ is white.
