Position – Full sun
Soil – Well-drained
Flowering Period –Autumn
Hardiness – Fully hardy
Nerine are perennial bulbs with stately, upright stems, grass-like foliage and striking sprays of lily-like flowers that curl and curve into attractive formations throughout autumn. It has long been said that Nerine drifted across the ocean from South Africa eventually landing on Guernsey Island. Nerine are best suited to flower beds and borders within courtyard, cottage and informal garden settings. You should expect to see Nerine grow to an approximate height of 45-60cm (18-24”) and a spread of 35cm (14”).
Nerine are best planted during the spring, in well-drained soil of chalk, clay, loam and sand within an acidic, alkaline or neutral PH balance. Spread your roots out before planting and submerge the bulb halfway into your soil so that the top is still visible. Make sure that you water your Nerine deeply and thoroughly once planted as this will create a healthy root system. They thrive best in a position of full sun as this is where you will see the biggest abundance of bloom.
It is recommended to mulch your plants when they have finished blooming as this will provide winter protection whilst retaining moisture levels and suppressing weeds. Nerine are intolerant to disturbance so once they are ready to plant into beds and borders, avoid transplanting them if you can. There is no requirement to prune, although you may wish to cut off spent flower heads to neaten your plants overall appearance.
It is possible to propagate Nerine by seed sown as soon as they are ripe. Alternatively you are able to propagate by division once the flowering period is over.
