BLOG; Nerines

Basking at the base of a wall which catches the late sun nothing is more attractive than the shocking pink blooms of the Nerine.  Named after sea nymphs of Greek mythology this is an easy garden treasure often overlooked as tender.  However whilst most of the more unusual varieties are grown under glass in cold greenhouses, Nerine bowdenii is a relatively hardy South African bulb when planted in a sheltered spot, and rewards with rich displays of small lily like flowers well into November. 

Once established Nerine tend to become overcrowded and can be divided in late summer by simply lifting with a border fork and the individual bulbs being replanted or potted up.  To get the best from this rather special bulb plant it in coarse, well drained soils with low nitrogen replicating the wild where they thrive on poor quality soils.  Over rich soils will produce an abundance of leaf at the expense of the flowers.

Paul Hervey-Brookes Plantsman & Garden Designer.