Nerine bowdenii 'Vesta K'

RHS Plant Profile

Bowden lily 'Vesta K'

Synonyms

Nerine bowdenii 'Vesta'

Bulbs

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A bulbous perennial to around 50cm tall with strap-shaped, semi-erect basal leaves appearing after the loose spherical heads, to 20cm across, of pale pink flowers made up of narrow, wavy-margined petals with recurved tips

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0-0.1 metre
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Tufted
Potentially harmful: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Nerine are summer-dormant, perennial bulbs with erect leafless stems each bearing a terminal umbel of funnel-shaped flowers in autumn, and strap-shaped or linear leaves appearing after the flowers
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant in early spring in a moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Protect in colder areas with a deep, dry mulch over winter. See also Nerine cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division after flowering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Mediterranean climate plants
City and courtyard gardens
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free