Nerine bowdenii
This Nerine does particularly well at Rosemoor, so we plant it wherever we can guarantee it some shelter, lots of sun and good drainage. It does particularly well in the croquet lawn borders where it adds to the autumn colour along with other southern hemisphere bulbous perennials such as Eucomis, Amaryllis and Alstroemeria. We also grow them in pots to place around the garden where some extra autumn colour is needed, but we have found that they like to be quite crowded to flower well when grown this way.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Bowden Cornish lily
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Height & spread
- Up to 60cm tall forming clumps
- Form
- Bulbous perennial
- Soil
- Very well-drained
- Aspect
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Hardy in some regions but will not tolerate winter wet
Nerine
The genus comprises about 30 species of bulbous perennials that originate from rock ledges, mountain screes and other well-drained and arid habitats in South Africa.
Nerine blooms as a cluster of flowers on a leafless stem. Each flower is trumpet-shaped, and the petals curl backward. Two of the more commonly grown species are Nerine bowdenii and Nerine sarniensis. N. bowdenii is the hardiest species. The leaves develop after the flowers have emerged and start to die back in May, and the plant is then dormant for the summer. N. sarniensis is less hardy and is generally grown under glass, where its wider range of flower colour produces a vivid and showy display.
The striking blossom comes in a wide spectrum of pink hues, from a brilliant fuchsia shade to an icy cool blush pink. Nerines can also be found in white, reddish orange and deep red. These delicate-looking blooms are named from the Greek word 'Nereis', the name of a sea-nymph.
The range of Nerine found in cultivation includes:
Nerine bowdenii - comprises 90% of bulbs available; pink.
Nerine undulata - a small-flowered species; pink.
Nerine sarniensis var. corusca 'Major' - crimson to orange-red, grown commercially for cutting.
Nerine undulata (Flexuosa Group) 'Alba' - white.
Nerine bowdenii
This robust perennial is one of the best late-flowering bulbs. In autumn it bears open sprays of five to 10 trumpet-shaped, faintly scented, bright pink flowers with curled, wavy-edged petals. The strap-like, glossy green leaves appear after the flowers, at the base of the plant.
In the garden it is suited to a dry position, at its best where it is bright and sunny where the vivid and distinct flowers can be shown off. Plant in spring and the bulbs will soon spread to form a sizeable clump; the clumps can then be divided after flowering. In colder areas, it is best to apply a thick layer of dry mulch prior to winter.
The flowers make interesting and unusual cut flowers. This plant also makes a very good glasshouse specimen.
Cultivation
- Nerine bowdenii is best grown in well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position. The base of a sunny wall is ideal. Give it a deep, dry mulch to help it survive winter cold.
- To grow it under glass plant it in spring or autumn with the tips of the bulbs just above the surface of some loam-based potting compost. Plant many bulbs together as they flower best when crowded. Position them in full light and water freely during active growth. Keep them warm and dry when dormant in the summer. After flowering provide a low nitrogen liquid fertiliser and continue to apply it until the leaves start to die back. This will ensure the bulbs have enough reserves to flower the following year. Planting depth: neck just above the soil.
Propagation
- Propagate from bulblets; divide clumps after flowering, or when in leaf in spring
- Propagate by seed, sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe at 10-13 °C. Seedlings take three to four years to reach flowering size.
AGM
The RHS Floral Committee awarded Nerine bowdenii an Award of Garden Merit and described it as follows:
'Bulbous perennial to 60cm, with strap-shaped rich green leaves appearing after the flowers. Erect stems bear umbels of lily-like pink flowers 6-8cm wide, with wavy, recurved segments.'