Nerine bowdenii 'Ellex'

RHS Plant Profile
Bowden lily 'Ellex'

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Bulbs

A strong-growing, bold, bulbous perennial about 50cm tall, with broad, strap-shaped green leaves. Upright stems hold clusters of lily-like pink flowers with paler wavy, crimped edges, appearing over a long period in autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–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
Clump forming
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
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in well-drained soil, preferably in a sunny, sheltered position for best flowering. Plant bulbs 10cm apart with the neck of the bulb showing above the soil, except for colder areas where they will prefer to be planted 5cm deep for frost protection. See nerine cultivation This plant was included in the RHS Nerine bowdenii trial 2012-2017 https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/plant-trials-and-awards/nerine-bowdenii-final-11jun2018.pdf

Propagation

Propagate by division after flowering, or by chipping, see bulb propagation

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free